India arrests five suspected of plotting ISIS attacks

Indian counter-terrorism officials on Wednesday arrested five men on suspicion of plotting a series of attacks across the country on behalf of ISIS, two intelligence officials said.

Indian counter-terrorism officials on Wednesday arrested five men on suspicion of plotting a series of attacks across the country on behalf of ISIS, two intelligence officials said.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) and local police raided 11 locations in the southern city of Hyderabad at dawn, seizing ammunition, explosive materials and cash.

Nine men were detained and five of them were arrested for conspiracy to wage war against the Indian state, one of the officials said, on the condition he was not named. If a suspect is arrested, police have 90 days to present charges.

“We have ample proof to show that the suspects were working for ISIS and also had direct connection with Syrian leaders,” the first official told Reuters.

The so-called Islamic State has struggled to win over many recruits in India, which is home to the world’s third-largest Muslim population.