4 Indian youth planning to join Islamic State held in Syria

Syria has taken four Indian youth in its custody, who were planning to the join terrorist outfit Islamic State (IS), and asked the Indian authorities the verify their details.

Syrian deputy prime minister Walid Al Moaulem, who is on a three-day visit to India, said the four youth had entered Syria and were taken into custody in Damascus. He, however, did not specify when they were apprehended.

"Four Indians were taken into Syrian custody in Damascus. The four young Indians were planning to join the ISIS and had entered Syria from Jordan," Moaulem told reporters here. He, however, did not give details such as their names, where they came from and when they were taken into custody.

The development assumes significance as India has been trying to stop radicalised youths from joining the terrorist organisation. Incidentally, in December last, police arrested three youth from Nagpur airport when they were about to leave the country to join the IS.

Also Read: How many Indians have joined Islamic State so far?

Moaulem, who is also the Foreign Minister, said he would not be in a position to help in the release of 39 Indians who were taken hostage by ISIS militants from Iraqi city of Mosul in June 2014.

"I will try to secure their release if they are in the custody of Iraqi forces but won't be able to do anything if they are still in the custody of ISIS," Moaulem said.

- PTI