Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Nov 13: India’s counter-terrorism landscape is witnessing a dangerous transformation — the era of the self-radicalised extremist has arrived. With the internet becoming a breeding ground for extremist ideology, individuals are now voluntarily joining terror networks without direct recruitment or coercion.
The case of Dr Umar Nabi underscores this growing concern. Nabi, who executed a blast near Delhi’s iconic Red Fort, joined the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) entirely of his own accord. Investigations reveal that since 2018, he had been quietly following several online platforms linked to the group, consuming radical propaganda but refraining from any visible engagement or communication.
Between 2018 and 2023, Nabi maintained a low profile — a silent observer who neither interacted with recruiters nor shared his thoughts. Yet, something changed in 2023. Acting on his own radical convictions, Nabi pledged allegiance to JeM and began mobilising a small circle of like-minded individuals. Within months, he created 15 Telegram channels, carefully handpicking participants to discuss and spread extremist content.
Leveraging his digital expertise, Nabi frequently shared messages from JeM chief Masood Azhar, glorifying the group’s ideology and mission. His proficiency with technology made it easier to elude detection. He relied on virtual numbers obtained via VPNs and VoIP services, registered in Nepal and Turkey, to mask his digital footprint. Soon, he even invited JeM operatives from Afghanistan and Turkey to collaborate and guide his newly formed Faridabad module.
By 2023, investigators noticed a stark shift in Nabi’s behaviour — from passive observer to active conspirator. His transformation into a self-motivated extremist, with no direct handler, exemplified the growing threat of “lone wolf” terrorism.
Security officials describe Nabi as the new face of terrorism in India: self-recruited, ideologically driven, and nearly invisible to surveillance systems. Such individuals blend seamlessly into normal life, making detection exceedingly difficult. For intelligence agencies, this evolving form of radicalisation poses a grave operational nightmare.
Authorities fear that many more such individuals could be operating silently across the country. These digitally indoctrinated actors function independently of established networks and require little to no external motivation. For terror organisations, they are invaluable assets — committed, unpredictable, and nearly untraceable.
Officials stress that cases like Nabi’s must serve as vital case studies. Understanding his trajectory — from online follower to self-declared militant — is essential for developing new, adaptive counter-terror strategies. As one officer put it, “The threat is no longer just organised terror cells — it’s the isolated individual with a smartphone and conviction.”