IS links: NIA arrests Kumari engineering graduate

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday arrested a 29-yearold engineering graduate from Kanniyakumari for his alleged links with IS and Haja Fakkurudeen, the first man from India to go and fight for Islamic State  in Syria.

The accused has been identified as Ansar Meeran, a resident  of, Thiruvithancode in Kanniyakumari.  The NIA registered the case on January 26, 2017 against nine people. Fakkurudeen, who is believed to be still in Syria along with his family is accused Number 1 in the case. 

He is a citizen of Singapore but is of Indian origin and a native of Cuddalore district in Tamil Nadu. He had joined IS in Syria during January 2014.

Fakkurudeen had visited India twice between November 2013 and January 2014 to conduct meetings with co-accused Ansar Meeran and others at places like Chennai and Ramamnathapuram to recruit more people for their cause. According to sources, Meeran had facilitated Fakkurudeen and his family’s journey to Syria.