ISIS Recruit From Maharashtra Killed In Al-Raqqah By Syrian Democratic Forces

Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have killed Aman Tandel, one of the four Maharashtra men who left India in 2014 to join the Islamic State in Syria. Tandel, also known as Abu Umar Al-Hindi, was killed when the SDF attacked the Islamic State's positions west of the Tabaqa Dam near Al-Raqqah.

According to Al-Masdar News, the Islamic State's official media wing paid tribute to Tandel in a Telegram statement, confirming his death during clashes with the SDF on 26 December. “During his brief jihad in Syria, Tandel participated in several clashes with Syrian democratic forces west of Al-Raqqah city,” the statement read.

In a video released by IS earlier this year, Tandel along with other Indian recruits had threatened to avenge Babri Masjid and killings of Muslims in Muzaffarnagar, Gujarat and Kashmir. Following the release of this video, IS flags were raised in Srinagar.

According to HuffPost India, Tandel had joined IS in 2014 along with Areeb Majeed, Fahad Sheikh and Saheem Tanki, all belonging to the town of Kalyan in Maharashtra. While Majeed returned in November 2014 and was subsequently arrested, Sheikh and Tanki are believed to have died.

Security agencies in India have not been able to independently confirm the news. According to The Indian Express, National Investigation Agency learnt about it from Tandel’s family members. According to the Indian government, 13 Indians had joined ISIS, six out of whom have died fighting in Syria.