‘IS recruit’ arrested, NIA takes over probe

The Islamic State ‘recruits’ from Kalyan district of Maharashtra (clockwise from left) Fahad Tanveer Shaikh, Aarif Fayaaz Majeed, Shaheem Farooque Tanki and Aman Nayeem Tandel flew to Baghdad on May 23, 2014 as part of a group of pilgrims to visit religious shrines in Iraq. Majeed was arrested on Friday on his return to Mumbai. Photo: Special Arrangement

“I went to Iraq to serve a larger cause,” Aarif Majeed, who returned to India on Friday after leaving, along with three other young men, in May purportedly to join Islamic State, reportedly told interrogators, The Hindu has learnt.

Aarif has been arrested and will be produced in a local court on Saturday. With the Union Home Ministry issuing a notification, the National Investigation Agency filed a case against Aarif under Section 125 of the Indian Penal Code (waging war against the state) and certain sections of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act. The Hindu , on November 26, reported the Home Ministry’s efforts to get him back.