Online Radicalisation Without Recruitment: Umar Nabi Case Highlights New Challenge for Security Agencies

New Delhi — India’s security landscape is undergoing a concerning transformation, with a new pattern of self-radicalisation through online platforms emerging as a serious threat. Unlike traditional recruitment models, individuals are now voluntarily joining extremist groups without direct persuasion or physical contact — a phenomenon exemplified by the case of Dr. Umar Nabi, the man behind the Red Fort blast.

According to investigators, Umar Nabi was not coerced into joining the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). Instead, he became radicalised online after years of silently following the group’s propaganda. Officials revealed that Nabi had been a member of several JeM-linked online channels since 2018, but he never engaged in discussions or commented on posts, maintaining an outwardly normal lifestyle.

It was only in 2023 that Nabi decided, on his own, to actively join JeM and plan terror activities. He created a network of about 15 Telegram channels, selectively adding individuals to discuss extremist ideology and strategy. Using his digital expertise, he managed to evade detection by employing virtual numbers, VPNs, and VoIP applications registered in Nepal and Turkey.

Nabi also established contact with senior JeM operatives in Afghanistan and collaborators in Turkey, seeking guidance for his plans. Intelligence officials said these contacts later played a role in the formation of the Faridabad terror module.

By 2023, Nabi’s mindset had shifted dramatically. Investigators observed that he had evolved from a passive follower into an active conspirator who believed that mere indoctrination was insufficient — direct action was essential.

Officials describe Nabi as functioning like a “lone wolf” — a self-recruited extremist who acted independently without direct orders. Such individuals, they warn, are particularly dangerous because they blend seamlessly into society, making detection extremely difficult.

“People like Umar Nabi don’t raise suspicion. They live normal lives, work quietly, and yet harbour dangerous intent. This makes them nearly impossible to identify before they act,” said a senior intelligence officer.

Authorities fear that many such self-radicalised individuals may exist across the country — unaffiliated with any formal terror cell but deeply influenced by digital propaganda. These actors, driven by ideology rather than reward, are considered the biggest assets for terrorist organisations and the toughest challenge for security forces.

Experts believe the Umar Nabi case should be treated as a case study to understand how online radicalisation evolves without recruitment, and to develop adaptive strategies to detect and prevent such threats.

Officials stress that combating this trend will require a dynamic and evolving counter-radicalisation strategy, combining technological surveillance, psychological assessment, and community awareness to identify potential threats before they strike.

With inputs from IANS