The militant who was killed during an anti-terror operation in Lucknow might have been "self-radicalised", and there is no evidence he had links to the so-called Islamic State group, said a senior UP police official. His body was found at the site of the encounter after a 12-hour gun battle with security forces, along with arms and ammunition.
Nonetheless, the potential of cyber radicalisation perpetuated by the transnational terror group is indeed frightening. If it can recruit Indians and provide the necessary logistical support for their travel, then one can assume that it is only a matter of time before they indoctrinate persons to unleash violence in India itself. Exploiting real or perceived religious grievances, groups like ISIS could radicalise impressionable young individuals from afar, which could then subsequently encourage lone wolf attacks.
The challenges before Indian authorities are immense. Beyond a vigilant state apparatus and well-functioning institutions like the judiciary, observers argue that an attempt to defang radicalisation will indeed require political solutions.