Agencies Heighten Vigilance Amid IS Call for ‘Lone Wolf’ Attacks

Intelligence agencies heighten vigilance against IS-inspired cells following the core Islamic State’s call for ‘lone wolves’ globally to carry out mass attacks on ‘infidels’ to mark the 10-year anniversary of the ‘Caliphate’ declaration in Ramadan 2014.

Islamic State spokesman Abu Hudhayfah al-Ansari issued a statement urging Muhajirin (foreign fighters) from various nations to join their ranks. He emphasized the significance of the Caliphate’s establishment as a pivotal moment in history and highlighted their global expansion, extending as far as Mozambique in Africa.

While initially established in 1999 by Jordanian extremist Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, it wasn’t until 2014 that ISIS rebranded itself as the Islamic State and appointed Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi as their Caliph.

In his recent speech, Ansari commended the Moscow terror incident and encouraged Muslims to relocate and join Islamic State affiliates across the globe.

“Islam will eventually prevail in the world as foretold by the Prophet,” he added.

In a 41-minute-long audio speech called “By Allah, this matter will be made possible,” he also slammed terror outfit al-Qaeda for straying away from their so-called “path”.

Agencies have limited information about al-Ansari, acknowledging his assumption of the spokesperson role in August last year, succeeding Abu Omar al-Muhajir after his arrest.

In his previous speech in Jan, Ansari had said: “Monotheism is the goal, and jihad is the path …the war with the Jews will not end in a one-state solution or two-state solution, as nationalists believe. It is a religious ideological war that will continue till we kill their antichrist.”

Ansari advocated for various violent methods to target infidels, including explosives, incendiary bombs, bullets, buses, and knives. With specific references to Christians and Jews, agencies have urged local law enforcement to enhance surveillance around Jewish establishments, community centers, and Chabad Houses in Delhi and Mumbai.

“Keeping in view the present scenario, adequate arrangements may be made by the local police. Presence of uniformed officers at major gatherings and cultural sites may be boosted to prioritise public safety, exercising an abundance of caution. To enhance security, religious centres may be advised to restrict access to their premises, ensure the functionality of security cameras and alarms, conduct perimeter sweeps and screen mail and packages,” an internal note reads.