Arrested ISIS terror suspect linked to anti-CAA protest, Delhi riots: Sources
The Delhi Police Special Cell earlier this week arrested a suspected ISIS terrorist with alleged links to the Anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC) protests shedding light on a broader network of radicalisation and subversion within the country.
Arsad Warsi, a former PhD student at Jamia Millia Islamia University, was arrested from Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh by the Delhi Police Special Cell. Police sources claim Warsi was actively involved in creating social media propaganda during the anti-CAA-NRC protests in 2019. The propaganda page featured slogans such as “Desh Se Tera Mera Rishta Kya, La Ilalha Illaha” (What is our connection with this country, except for the fact that there is no god but Allah).
According to sources, Arsad Warsi’s arrest and subsequent questioning have exposed his connections to the riots that erupted in northeast Delhi in February 2020, and his suspected involvement in plotting a more extensive terror attack. He is also under scrutiny for his potential role in the Shaheen Bagh protest build-up.
Warsi was found to have provided shelter to Mohammad Shahnawaz, a wanted ISIS terror suspect who was arrested in Delhi after previously managing to escape from Pune Police custody.
Delhi Police sources have disclosed that Arsad Warsi had allegedly planned to incite a larger riot with the assistance of Sharjeel Imam, another controversial figure associated with anti-government movements.
One of the annexures within the chargesheet filed against Warsi references a social media post circulated in the “Students of Jamia” WhatsApp group. This group is now being identified as a potential radical group by authorities.
The chargesheet also highlights Warsi’s Facebook posts, which contained multiple references to the demolition of the Babri Masjid.
During questioning, Arsad Warsi reportedly admitted to being radicalized in 2016 and claimed to have been part of the “SUFA” module of ISIS.