Kerala coast on high alert after intel on ISIS movement

The Kerala coast has been put on high alert following intelligence reports that boats allegedly carrying 15 Islamic State Terrorists had set off from Sri Lanka to the Lakshadweep islands. Kerala Coastal Police stations and coastal district police chiefs have been alerted about ISIS affiliates setting off towards Lakshadweep and Minicoy Island from Sri Lanka.

As reported by sources to Newsroom post, Such alerts are usual practice but this time they have specific information about the number. The coastal police stations and the police chiefs of coastal districts to be on alert in case of any sighting of suspicious vessels. 15 ISIS affiliates have set-off in a white boat from Sri Lanka towards Indian islands of Lakshadweep and Minicoy.

The coastal police department said it was on alert since May 23, the day alert came from Sri Lanka. They have also alerted the fishing vessels and others venturing into the sea to be cautious of suspicious activities. After the serial bomb blasts in Sri Lanka, Kerala was on alert, especially after NIA investigations revealed that IS operatives had planned attacks in the State.

Intelligence agencies also believe that a considerable number of Keralites are still with the ISIS which was recently wiped out from Iraq and Syria.

On April 21, bombings took place at various locations across Sri Lanka in which at least 250 people lost their lives while over 500 were injured in the terror attack. Local terror group NTJ (National Thowheeth Jama’ath), which is an ISIS-affiliate, claimed responsibility for the attack.

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena had extended by a month the state of emergency that was imposed after the attacks. It gives police and the military extensive powers to arrest, detain and interrogate suspects without court orders, reports ANI.

Also Read: Fifteen people killed in Sri Lankan raids on ISIS hideout