The decision was made after intelligence reports on the spread of Islamist ideology from ten Indian states, including the Muslim-majority Jammu and Kashmir region in the north, sounded alarm bells in the Ministry of Home Affairs. India previously did not regard ISIL as a direct national-security threat.
The report, recently submitted by Indian intelligence agencies to the Home Ministry, pointed to an increase of ISIL sympathizers in the country. This comes after insurgents in the disputed Kashmir region on the border with Pakistan were identified displaying ISIL flags.
Agencies also raised concerns about ISIL using various social media sites to lure Indian youth into their fold.
Earlier Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh waved off claims that ISIL had become increasingly popular among the Indian population, especially those of Muslim faith.
