KATHMANDU, Sept 8: Suspicions have arisen that agents of the extremist organization ISIS may be present in Nepal following revelations that a senior Nepal Police official had contact with individuals involved in terrorism-financing activities linked to ISIS.

Interpol's National Central Bureau (NCB) in Singapore has urged the Nepal Police to investigate a DSP-level officer, suggesting that affiliates of the extremist organization may also be present in Nepal. Interpol is an international police organization designed to combat transnational crimes.

Interpol has indicated that elements of the extremist organization ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria), also known as IS, may be present in Nepal. The police claimed that ISIS has a significant network in Iraq, Syria, as well as in Gulf and African countries.

“Nepal Police is conducting an internal investigation into the matter of a DSP having contact with individuals linked to ISIS. Investigations will also extend to other suspected individuals,” said DIG Dan Bahadur Karki, central spokesperson for Nepal Police.

After Interpol requested details of three Nepali individuals suspected of being involved in terrorism-financing activities with the extremist organization, the Nepal Police, alarmed by the request, decided to investigate and monitor other suspected individuals as well.

Among the three individuals whose details Interpol has requested is serving DSP Hem Bahadur Shahi of the Nepal Police. Born on October 14, 1979, DSP Shahi is from Kailali. This information has been provided to Interpol by the Nepal Police.

After Interpol's NCB Singapore sent correspondence to the NCB Kathmandu of the Nepal Police, headquarters also conducted an internal investigation. "An investigation is underway on this matter," said DIG Karki.

According to the police, Interpol's NCB Singapore has requested background information on Mahendra Jung Shah from Kalikot, Dipendra Bahadur Shah from Kalikot, and DSP Hem Bahadur Shahi due to suspected involvement in terrorist and terrorism-financing activities. Mahendra Jung Shah is also a former chairman of the Non-Resident Nepali Association in Malaysia.

Interpol's NCB Singapore claimed that Mahendra Jung Shah is linked to ISIS, which was connected to the terrorist organization Al-Qaeda in 2006. Mahendra Jung Shah has been living in Dubai and Malaysia for a long time. He, along with other individuals in Nepal, is suspected of having connections with ISIS.

It is estimated that ISIS has around 40,000 fighters. It is claimed that over 200,000 people are affiliated with this organization, including from Iraq, Syria, and other countries. In June 2014, it was estimated that ISIS had 15,000 military personnel. Compared to other terrorist organizations aiming to establish a Sunni Islamic state, ISIS is considered to have rapidly expanded its organizational base.

A few individuals who arrived in Nepal from India have been found involved in terrorist activities. In 2011, it was revealed that Subhash Jha, also known as Harishchandra, a notorious Indian criminal, obtained citizenship from Sunsari. Prior to this, it was discovered that over 25 non-Nepali individuals, including international criminal Ali Ashraf Ansari from Sunsari, Indian extremist leader Niranjan Hojai, and Bangladeshi nationals Hasim Alam and Dhirendra Yadav, had also acquired Nepali citizenship from Sunsari.

Hojai, who has been involved in armed insurgency in Assam, India, obtained citizenship from Sunsari. Jha, who was engaged in terrorist activities in India, obtained Nepali citizenship by presenting false information from Sripur-3 in Sunsari. Some individuals involved in terrorist activities in various Indian cities have also been arrested after entering Nepal.

 
• extremist_organization_ISIS
 
• agents
 
• National_Central_Bureau
 
• Interpol
 
• terrorism-financing_activities