Areeb Fayyaz Majeed tried to blow himself up thrice; All you need to know about the first Indian suicide bomber of the Islamic State

In May last year, a civil engineer from Panvel in Maharashtra, Areeb Fayyaz Majeed and three other young men flew to Baghdad, claiming they were on a pilgrimage.

The men were suspected to have joined the dreaded terror outfit Islamic State. It has now been revealed that Majeed is reportedly the first Indian graduate of the Islamic State's training school, where he was trained to be a 'fidayeen' (e. suicide bomber).

Majeed was arrested in November 2014 when he returned to India. He has been in custody ever since.

Representational Image/ Patrika

Here's what we know so far about the terrorist:

Why did he leave?

In July 2014, the Indian Express had reported that Majeed had written a letter to his family explaining his decision to leave home.

"I cried when I saw you all sinning, smoking cigarettes, taking interest, watching TV, illegal sexual intercourse, living luxurious lives, intermingling of sexes, not praying, not growing beards. These things will lead to you burning in the hell-fire," he wrote.

In August 2014, reports surfaced that Majeed had been killed in fighting in Iraq. Convinced that he had died, his family performed prayers for his soul.

Three months later, the Financial Express reported that Majeed's father contacted the NIA, claiming that his son had fled to Turkey and wanted to return to India.

Majeed's stint at with the IS

Photo: Patrika

The Indian Express reported that the Majeed was given the name Abu Ali al Hindi, by the IS.

Following his training, Majeed was instructed to carry out a suicide attack against the Kurdish Army positions in Mosul city in August 2014. This was the 23-year-old's first attempt at a suicide bombing. He would attempt to blow himself up three more times - only to fail each time.

After Majeed was sent to India, he detailed his failed attempts to his interrogators. According to an NDTV report, the terrorist has revealed that the August attack was forestalled by an air raid which destroyed the explosive-laden vehicle that he had planned to use against the Kurdish Army.

In September 2014, he attempted a similar suicide attack on the Kurdish Army position in Rabea. But he failed after the Kurds hit his vehicle - damaging and immobilising it. Majeed was shot in the ensuing gunbattle but was later rescued by IS fighters.

In his third attempt in Talal Huwa in Iraq, Majeed moved towards the Kurdish Army again. This time, the Kurds fired at his explosive-laden car with a 23-caliber anti-aircraft gun, injuring Majeed and immobilising the vehicle.

Majeed decided to continue fighting and detonate his suicide vest, but his commander forced him to withdraw.

He later went to Syria where he built underground bunkers for the IS in and around Raqqa. It is during this time that the Indian Express says Majeed contacted his family - on Skype - and told them that he was alive.

What's in store for Majeed?

Majeed told interrogators in India that Shaheen Farooqi Tanki - one of the three men who had accompanied him had died in the operations. The whereabouts of the other two - reported to be Fahad Tanvir Sheikh and Aman Naim Tandel - are unknown.

According to an Indian Express report, Majeed is currently lodged in Mumbai's Arthur Road Jail and will be Majeed will now be prosecuted for several offences, including waging war against Syria - an Asiatic Power In Alliance With the Government of India.