'No entry' in India for Kerala women involved with IS

New Delhi, dated 12 June 2021 Saturday

Four Kerala women who joined the Islamic State (IS) terrorist organization in Afghanistan are unlikely to return to India. The women, who are currently being held in Afghan jails, will not be allowed to return home, a senior official said. The women went with their husbands to join the Islamic State in Afghanistan's Khurasan province, where their husbands were killed in separate attacks.

The women, who joined Islamic State in 2016-18, surrendered to Afghan authorities in November-December, 2019.

408 nationals from 13 countries, including China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and the Maldives, including these four Indian women, are being held in Afghan jails for their involvement with Islamic State. Afghanistan is in talks with its allies to deport the prisoners.

Delhi-based Afghan officials declined to comment on the issue. Senior officials in Kabul are awaiting India's decision.

The four Indian women, who are being held in Afghan jails with their children, were met by Indian security agencies in Kabul in 2019.

The issue of returning these women and allowing them to be government witnesses was considered, but women are radically radical. Afghan authorities may be asked to prosecute these women. At India's suggestion, Interpol has issued a Red Corner Notice against the women.