A youth from Azamgarh in Uttar Pradesh who went to Syria to join the militant group Islamic State (IS) wants to return home and has contacted his family here.
A senior government official said the youth was in touch with another Indian national in UAE. On the pretext of having found a job, the man travelled to UAE, where he joined his accomplice from UAE. The duo then entered Syria via Turkey. He is not an active fighter there but is involved in handling their logistics, the official said.
The man, in his late 20s, had gone to IS-held areas about six months ago through Turkey, ostensibly to fight for terrorist group after being drawn to it online.
He slipped out of the radar of intelligence agencies about six months ago.
He is among the 19 Indians who have either joined the IS or are fighting for the militant group. Areeb Majeed, the Kalyan man who returned from Syria last year and is being investigated by the NIA was an active fighter. He returned after he was disillusioned by the violence, investigators claim.
Officials said the frustrated man wants to get back home now. The recent bombing by western forces in IS-held areas prompted him to frantically call his family and ask them to ensure his early return.
“Someone in the family approached the security agencies and the phone call was traced to Raqqah. He has called them four times in the past one week and we are trying to bring him back,” said a senior government official.
