Moradabad/Saharanpur, Mar 17: The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has arrested a 19-year-old dental student, Haarish Ali, for alleged connections with an online module associated with the banned terrorist group Islamic State (ISIS), officials said.

Haarish, a resident of Saharanpur district and a second-year Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) student, was apprehended in Moradabad on Sunday as part of an ongoing investigation into ISIS-linked online networks operating across India.

According to officials, the accused allegedly communicated with ISIS handlers and sympathizers through social media platforms such as Instagram, as well as encrypted messaging applications including Session and Discord.

Investigators revealed that intelligence inputs had indicated the presence of online groups in Uttar Pradesh and other states, which were being used to spread ISIS ideology and recruit individuals to strengthen the organization’s foothold in India.

“These groups were reportedly engaged in circulating propaganda material, extremist literature, and operational instructions related to ISIS activities,” the ATS added.

Authorities continue to investigate the extent of the network and any potential collaborators linked to the online module.