TM: New Hizb ut-Tahirir Networks Uncovered in Southern India

The transnational Islamist political movement Hizb ut-Tahrir (HT) has increased its India-centric propaganda. HT is often described as a non-violent extremist group seeking to unite the global Muslim community under one Islamic caliphate. The arrests of several HT operatives from Central and South Indian states, including Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana and Tamil Nadu, confirmed HT’s shadowy presence in the country. HT is attempting to revive the group’s past pro-Islamic state and anti-India discourses through its preaching campaigns.

Exposing HT Networks 

In May, a coordinated operation executed by multiple Indian security agencies, including the Intelligence Bureau, the Anti-Terror Squad of Madhya Pradesh, and the Counter Intelligence Wing of Telangana, exposed covert networks linked to HT. These networks were accused of forcibly converting and marrying individuals from the Hindu community. These cells reportedly infiltrated educational and other vocational institutions in Madhya Pradesh and Telangana. The initial phase of the operation led to the arrest of 11 suspected HT members in multiple locations in Bhopal and Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh. Additionally, five individuals were apprehended in Hyderabad, the capital of Telangana (Statesman, May 10; Deccan Chronicle, May 10). Among the arrested, at least three were converts from the Hindu community. Notably, most of those arrested were professionals, including a dentist, a cloud service engineer, and a teacher specializing in pharmaceutical biotechnology. Police also found that five had married Hindu women and converted them to Islam. Subsequent police operations led to the arrests of several more HT operatives, which brought the total of arrested HT cadres to 17 by August 1 (DDNews, August 1).

For the Complete article, read: "New Hizb ut-Tahrir Networks Uncovered in Southern India," Terrorism Monitor, Vol. 21 (24), December 15, 2023.