IIT-Guwahati student detained after pledging allegiance to Islamic State

A student of IIT Guwahati was detained by the Assam Police for allegedly pledging allegiance to the Islamic State terror group.

The fourth-year Biotechnology student had allegedly claimed on social media platforms that he intended to join the terror outfit and went missing from the campus. He was caught on March 23 evening in Hajo, about 30 km northwest of Guwahati.

Assam DGP confirmed the development on social media X and said that the matter is being investigated.

"Reference IIT Guwahati student pleading allegiance to ISIS - the said student has been detained while travelling and further lawful follow up would take place," Director-General of Police GP Singh posted on X

Additional Superintendent of Police (STF) Kalyan Kumar Pathak told PTI news agency, "After receiving an email, we got about to verify the authenticity of the contents and started an investigation." The email was sent by the student, in which he claimed that he was on his way to join ISIS.

Pathak said the IIT-Guwahati authorities were immediately contacted, who informed them that the said student had been "missing" since noon and his mobile phone was also switched off.

A search was started to locate him and he was nabbed from Hajo area, around 30 km from Guwahati, on Saturday evening with the help of locals, the ASP said.

"After initial questioning, he has been brought to the STF office. We are verifying the motive of the email," Pathak said.

He said a black flag, "purportedly similar to that of ISIS", was found in his hostel room and was being sent for verification to specialised agencies which deal with proscribed outfits.

"We are going through the items seized, it is early to say much. We are investigating the intention of sending the email. The student has given some details, but we cannot disclose anything further now," Pathak added.

(With PTI inputs)

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