Why ISIS may attract more Indians

India has a sizeable population of Sunni Muslims, and the Intelligence Bureau fears more young men will be drawn to the ISIS. Vicky Nanjappa/Rediff.com reports.

The ISIS's call for the establishment of a Global Islamic Council could be the reason for its growing appeal in India, Intelligence Bureau officials tell this correspondent.

Recent revelations about young Indians proclaiming their support for ISIS, demonstrating pride in their Sunni antecedents, and posing with ISIS T-shirts are instances of its appeal, IB agents say.

What sets the ISIS apart from other terror outfits like Al Qaeda, Hamas, Lashkar-e-Tayiba or the Taliban is its global agenda, the IB agents say.

While other terrorist organisations fight area-specific battles -- the Hamas in Palestine; the Lashkar in Kashmir and other parts of India; the Taliban in Afghanistan; and Al Qaeda in various parts of the world -- the ISIS began its battle in Syria and Iraq, but has attracted a large number of Muslim youth from across the world by declaring that its final goal is a Global Islamic Council.

Of its 8,000-strong force, 3,000 are from Britain.

The ISIS wants to impose Sharia law and have also declared war on the Shias. India has a sizeable population of Sunni Muslims, and the Intelligence Bureau fears more young men will be drawn to the ISIS.

Image: ISIS fighters parade their weapons. Photograph: Reuters