IS Suicide Bomber Planning To Kill Indian Leader Held In Russia

NEW DELHI | Updated: 22 August, 2022 2:21 pm IST

The terrorist is a native of Central Asian region and was recruited by IS in Turkey.

Russia has detained a terrorist of the Islamic State, who was plotting to kill a high-profile Indian leader in a suicide bombing in revenge for now -suspended BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma’s comments on Prophet Muhammad.

The IS operative has been identified as 30-year-old Azamov Mashahont, a native of a country of the Central Asian Region (CAR).

Russian authorities, however, did not name of the Indian leader who is on the target list of the terrorist organisation.

“The Federal Security Service (FSB) of the Russian Federation in Russia identified and detained a member of the International terrorist organisation Islamic State, banned in Russia, a native of a country in the Central Asian region, who planned to commit a terrorist act by self-detonation against one of the representatives of the ruling circles of India,” the agency said in a release.

As per the attack plan, the operative would have received assistance from someone in India.

According to the FSS, the person bomber was recruited by one of the leaders of the IS as a suicide bomber when he was in Turkey between April and June this year.

The attacker was in touch with the IS recruiter through Telegram, and also met IS leaders in person in Istanbul.

“As a result, the terrorist took an oath of allegiance to the Amir (chief) of the IS. After that, he was given the task of leaving for Russia, completing the necessary documents and flying to India to commit a high-profile terrorist act,” the Russian security agency said.

Islamic State and all its affiliates are designated as ‘terrorist organisation’ under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 by the Centre.

Nupur Sharma’s comments on Prophet Muhammad during a TV debate in May this year had evoked sharp criticism and protests in India as well as several Muslim countries.