Alleged IS clip threatens attacks at Kumbh Mela, Thrissur Pooram
An audio clip allegedly from the IS talking about terror attacks at Kumbh Mela and Thrissur Pooram has surfaced. The voice in the 10-minute Malayalam audio message is said to belong to Rashid Abdullah, the alleged IS leader in Kasaragod. He reportedly left the country to join the IS in Afghanistan. This comes amid claims 100 people from Kerala have joined the IS.
What does the clip reveal?
In the clip, which surfaced on Telegram, the speaker is heard urging Muslims to shift from Darul Kufr (where Islamic laws arent enforced) to Darul Islam (where Islamic laws rule). If thats not possible, people must financially support Daulatul Islam and the IS. It claims IS was behind the Las Vegas shooting which killed 26. Efforts to end IS are fruitless, it adds.
Clip encourages attacks at Kumbh Mela and Thrissur Pooram
The clip urged people to "use your intellect. Poison them in food. Use trucks, drive over them at Thrissur Pooram and Kumbh Mela." Quoting the Las Vegas shooting, it said, "At least you should try to derail a train. Or use a knife."
What is facilitating radicalization in Kerala?
This is the 50th clip recovered in recent times allegedly belonging to the IS. Several others have reportedly emerged on various platforms. According to police, factors that seem to make Kerala immune- high literacy, political awareness and more- are the same that are helping radicalization through "deep Internet penetration, high digital literacy and foreign contacts". Police are probing this clip and other evidence.
Islamic State threat growing across India
IS' reach in India isn't limited to Kerala though; threat seems to be high in other states too. In two years, over 80 people have been arrested across the country for ISIS links, the government claims. This year alone, investigators have busted IS modules in UP and Bihar. A man was detained in Chennai for allegedly transferring funds to the IS.
