New Delhi, March 14 – With the war raging in Afghanistan, the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) has intensified its propaganda media narrative. Indian intelligence agencies say that in addition to existing propaganda channels, the ISKP has established semi-official media organizations. This is done with the intention of ensuring that the propaganda campaign remains sustained.
However, what the Indian agencies are most concerned about is the numerous channels that have emerged voluntarily in support of the ISKP.
Officials say that this strategy works perfectly for the ISKP. When official and semi-official channels come under scrutiny, the ISKP shuts them down temporarily. This is when the voluntary channels come in handy, officials say.
These channels create content based on the ideology of the Islamic State. This helps the ISKP keep the narrative alive, and there is no investment involved.
Another official said that the propaganda is always present, considering the number of voluntary channels that have emerged. It is extremely difficult for the agencies to keep track of so many channels. Every time a channel is blocked, many others emerge, an Intelligence Bureau official said.
The agencies are also keeping a close watch on Khorasan Ghag Radio and al-Azaim Foundation. The radio channel has recently been conducting numerous discussions on the global situation. The war in Iran and the Afghanistan issue are the primary topics of discussion.
The foundation, on the other hand, publishes books related to Islam and Sharia Law. These books primarily focus on the implementation of Sharia Law. The radio channel, on the other hand, has held over 150 discussions.
The content produced by these official channels of the Islamic State is picked up by the voluntary accounts created by individuals. This content, which is mainly created in Arabic, is being translated using Artificial Intelligence (AI). The translated content helps the outfit reach a larger audience, officials say.
Intelligence agencies say that there has been a surge in this kind of activity in recent months, and this is worrying. Another official explained that there has been a special focus on the Indian audience, and such content is very widely circulated in the Southern states.
The ultimate goal is to ensure that a large number of people are radicalized, and that they subscribe to the ideology of the Islamic State. This, according to the outfit, would in the long run not just change the way people think but also ensure that recruitment takes place in large numbers.
The outfit is in desperate need for people, especially in its battle in Afghanistan. There have been many instances, especially in states like Kerala, where people have left the country and joined the ISKP.
The intelligence agencies say that what has made the situation even more worrisome is the newfound alliance between the ISKP and Pakistan.
The Pakistanis have roped in the outfit to fight their battle in Balochistan and also against the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). In return, Pakistan will help the ISKP with its propaganda drive to ensure that such radical content has an even wider reach, officials explain.