US designates Karnataka-born ISIS leader a global terrorist
30-year-old Karnataka-born Mohammed Shafi Armar, ISIS's chief recruiter in the Indian subcontinent, has been named a 'Specially Designated Global Terrorist' by the US. Armar is the first Indian ISIS leader to be hit by US sanctions. Armar, who goes by the aliases 'Chhote Maula', 'Anjan Bhai' and 'Yousuf al-Hindi' is a native of Bhatkal, Karnataka. An Interpol Red Corner notice against him is pending.
US to slap economic sanctions on Armar, limit his operations
The US State Treasury Department's designation of Armar as a global terrorist and his inclusion in the Office of Foreign Assets Control paves the way for economic sanctions against him, aimed at hampering his operations.
Who is Mohammed Shafi Armar?
Armar was an Indian Mujahideen (IM) member who left for Pakistan with his elder brother following a crackdown by Indian security forces. After a fight with IM's founders, Armar reportedly created Ansar ul Tawhid, which later pledged allegiance to ISIS. Reports of his death in drone strikes or military operations have turned false as his name or voice keeps cropping up in intelligence intercepts.
Armar allegedly plotted attacks on ardh kumbh in Haridwar
Armar is also believed to have recruited youngsters for the Jund ul Khalifa-e-Hind outfit. Investigative agencies first placed him under their radar when India's National Investigation Agency (NIA) was probing suspected ISIS members in Ratlam, Madhya Pradesh. Armar was chargesheeted with five others by the NIA for allegedly plotting terror attacks on New Delhi and the ardh kumbh in Haridwar.
Tech savvy Armar uses social media to recruit youth
Armar is tech savvy and uses Facebook and other social media platforms to brainwash and recruit youth from India India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Three Indians who allegedly worked for Armar had earlier been deported by the UAE. During an interrogation of suspected IM suspects, it emerged that Armar was a self-proclaimed ally of ISIS chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.
