IS recruits Indian translators 'to spread propaganda' in local languages

The Islamic State militant group has hired translators to propagate its message across India, the country’s intelligence service warned.

The militants are seeking to expand recruitment in India, employing locals to translate propaganda material into local languages, Indian media reported, quoting a senior intelligence official.

The “extremist organisation have for some years been spreading their ideas and attracting young people in Indian by publishing materials in their local languages and dialects,” the official said.

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IS is attempting to reach out to translators by using popular social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, the official noted.

Those who have responded to the online posts and agreed to assist the militants have been detained by authorities, the report added.

The Islamic State group first emerged in Iraq and Syria in 2014 before expanding with branches across in Yemen, Africa and Asia.

After the fall of its self-proclaimed caliphate in March 2019, IS went underground and continues to mount attacks against pro-regime forces in Syria, Egypt and Iraq.