India Today’s Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) team has uncovered a disturbing and potentially dangerous online radicalization network aimed at Indian Muslim youth. This newly discovered module encourages jihad, incites violence, and targets prominent Indian political figures, particularly Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The radical messages are propagated through a network of digital platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Dailymotion, Soundcloud, Internet Archive, and a blog, spreading divisive and violent ideologies with alarming reach.
Central to this online radicalization effort is a newly registered website and a private group on the secure messaging platform, Signal, which is used to rally members. The website, which was registered on December 3, 2024, openly promotes radical jihadist ideologies and calls for the rebuilding of the Babri Mosque. The site contains videos with inflammatory content, including those featuring the voice of Farhatullah Ghori, a wanted terrorist linked to various terror attacks and currently believed to be residing in Pakistan. Ghori’s involvement in the dissemination of radical materials indicates a growing global push to engage Indian youths in violent extremist activities.
The website's opening page carries a direct message: "Let’s pledge to rebuild the Babri Masjid," calling for action in the name of Islam. This invocation of the Babri Mosque demolition anniversary has been used as a rallying point to encourage radical youth to view the demolition as a significant injustice to be avenged through violent jihad. In one of the videos released by this network, an individual known as Gauri or 'Ustad' further stokes the flames of division and hate by urging Muslim youth to abandon their national identities and embrace jihad as a form of religious duty. He decries patriotism as a threat to their faith and encourages them to take action against symbols of Hindu nationalism, specifically alluding to the Ram Temple.
The content of these videos is not just limited to ideological rhetoric. It includes direct incitement to violent acts. In another chilling message, Gauri praises an individual who executed a bomb blast alone at a café in Bengaluru, demonstrating admiration for his ability to carry out the attack undetected for over a month. Such glorification of violence is indicative of the network's objective to inspire others to follow in the footsteps of these terrorists.
Farhatullah Ghori, the terrorist mastermind behind much of this propaganda, is a central figure in the radical online network. Known by several aliases, including Abu Sufiyan, Sardar Sahab, and Faru, Ghori has been linked to several high-profile terror attacks in India. He was implicated in the 2002 Akshardham Temple attack in Gujarat, which killed over 30 people and injured dozens more. Ghori’s influence extends far beyond India, as he has been a key player in spreading radical ideologies globally, particularly through online platforms that target vulnerable youth.
In 2005, Ghori was also linked to a suicide attack on the Task Force office in Hyderabad, and in 2020, the Indian government officially designated him a terrorist under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). His continued online activity and the distribution of his propaganda videos reflect an ongoing effort to recruit and radicalize Indian youth, urging them to embrace violent jihad as a solution to perceived injustices.
The messages circulated by Ghori and his associates go beyond calls for revenge or the rebuilding of religious sites. They invoke violent ideologies from international jihadi groups, including Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the Syrian group responsible for overthrowing President Bashar al-Assad. Ghori’s videos suggest that Indian Muslims should take inspiration from groups like HTS, further broadening the scope of this radicalization effort.
These videos are not confined to the website alone. The radical content has spread to a range of social media accounts, including those on Facebook and Instagram, where inflammatory posts further propagate the message of jihad and glorify violent acts. One of the disturbing elements of the online content is the direct targeting of prominent political figures in India. The website features posts referring to a TV journalist as a "rabid dog" and making threats toward Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, implying that harm will come to him and others who oppose the radical agenda. These threats are a clear call for violence against public figures, adding a layer of danger to the already volatile situation.
In addition to the website, a blog titled "Islamic Revolution Hind," hosted on Blogger, has been found sharing similar radical content. The blog reposts the material from the website, thereby extending the reach of the violent rhetoric. This use of multiple platforms illustrates the transnational and multifaceted approach being employed to radicalize individuals, and the danger it poses to India's social fabric.
India Today has taken immediate steps to combat the spread of these radical messages, withholding the website’s domain and linked social media accounts to prevent further dissemination of propaganda. While this action is crucial in limiting the spread of such harmful content, it underscores the broader issue of digital radicalization and the need for more robust countermeasures.
Digital forensics plays a key role in identifying and tracking these radical networks, but the evolving nature of online radicalization presents significant challenges. The use of encrypted platforms like Signal for organizing and spreading extremist ideologies highlights the growing difficulty of countering digital terrorism. Law enforcement agencies and intelligence agencies must continue to monitor these networks, collaborate internationally, and use advanced digital forensics techniques to track and dismantle such threats before they escalate further.
The growing trend of using online platforms for radicalization also calls for a broader discussion on the regulation of digital spaces and the role of tech companies in preventing the spread of hate speech and extremist content. As evidenced by this radicalization module, the reach of online networks knows no borders, and this issue is not just a concern for India, but for the international community. The global fight against online terrorism and radicalization must be a collective one, involving governments, tech companies, and civil society organizations.
This investigation into the online radicalization module raises significant concerns about the intersection of digital technology and national security. With increasing efforts to recruit vulnerable youth into extremist ideologies through sophisticated online networks, India, like many other countries, must continue to strengthen its counter-radicalization strategies. In the age of digital warfare, the battle against terrorism will increasingly be fought in the online space, where the boundaries between physical and virtual threats blur, making vigilance and preparedness more crucial than ever.
