New Delhi, March 5 – The conflict between Israel, the US, and Iran has been ongoing for nearly a week. The operation began with the assassination of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, after which Iran retaliated and targeted US and Israeli interests in various parts of West Asia.
As the war continues, Indian agencies have detected attempts to radicalize young people in India through various channels. There have been reports of such attempts in states like Uttar Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Kerala.
An official from the Intelligence Bureau stated that radical elements have been creating and circulating Artificial Intelligence (AI)-generated videos. These are propaganda videos created in multiple languages.
For example, in Kerala, the videos are made in Malayalam to target the youth in that state. Similarly, for the Kashmir audience, the videos are in Kashmiri or Koshur, and for Uttar Pradesh, they are in Hindi, the official said.
In addition to these languages, AI is also being used to create content in Urdu and other Indian languages. This indicates that the radical elements are planning to expand their reach by using the conflict as a pretext.
Another official stated that these elements are not only targeting Shia Muslims. The audience also includes Sunni Muslims. The aim is to radicalize the youth and then incite them to carry out attacks in India, the official added.
Following the death of Khamenei, the Centre had issued an advisory stating that radical elements would attempt to infiltrate prayer meetings and solidarity rallies and radicalize the youth.
Mourning processions have already been held by Shia communities in Hyderabad, Mumbai, Lucknow, and Delhi. Officials say that they expect more such processions in the coming days. This is what the radical elements are targeting, the official added.
In addition to the AI-generated videos, close watch is being kept on influencers who run religious and cultural channels online. These individuals are trying to subtly convey messages to incite the youth in India, the official added. Issues such as the genocide of Shias and attacks on the Umma are subjects they would use to radicalize people, the agencies have learnt.
Another official added that although the Islamic State opposes Shias, it still seeks to capitalize on the situation and promote its agenda. This group and organizations like Al-Qaeda have often used global issues to promote their version of Islam, the official said.
These groups are promoting the agenda that both the United States and Israel are anti-Islam. Both the Islamic State and Al-Qaeda are seeking to use this issue to radicalize the youth in India, the Intelligence agencies have learnt.
Furthermore, the agencies have learned that platforms such as X, WhatsApp, and Telegram are being used to spread the agenda of the radicals in India. Officials say that the messaging currently is subtle and this indicates that they are testing the waters. As the conflict intensifies, the message will become louder, and there will be open calls to indulge in violence.
Furthermore, the agencies are also closely monitoring the encrypted guidance being given through these messaging channels. The financial flow is also being closely monitored, an official added.
Many elements backed by the ISI are also part of the plot. The ISI does not really care about any cause and its only intention is to bleed India by a thousand cuts. It will back those elements who are using the war in Iran to fuel extremism in India. The aim is to promote homegrown extremism. The larger goal is to push self-radicalized youth into carrying out lone wolf attacks in India.
This is a longer game, and the intention is not to strike immediately. These individuals want to create a pool of a large number of individuals by using the Iran issue and then strike big in India, the agencies have learnt.
