Maharashtra boy, who joined ISIS in 2014, dies fighting in Raqqa; family gets call

Maharashtra boy who had joined Islamic State in 2014 is said to have died while fighting for the internationally banned terrorist group in Raqqa.

Fahad Shaikh, a resident of Kalyan in Maharashtra’s Thane district, who along with four others had joined ISIS in 2014 is said to have died during a gunbattle in Raqqa, confirmed the deceased's father, Dr Tanveer Shaikh.

He told the media that they had received a anonymous call from a foreign number which informed them about the development.

Tanver also added that he had informed the NIA about the call and the message given to them.

According to Fahad’s father, the call was received by the deceased’s mother. The caller said, “Fahad Shaikh is shaheed while fighting for Islamic State in Raqqa.”

While talking to the media he also added that media earlier to had reported his death and hope this time too it turns fake like earlier.

Fawad was a  mechanical engineer by education who had joined the ranks of the ISIS.

Also read: IS attacks displaced Syrians, kills 18 people: Monitor

According to earlier reports two others — Shaheen Tanki and Amaan Tandel — who had joined ISIS were reportedly killed in Mosul last year.

Also read: US-backed forces claim to have have captured Raqa from ISIS

The four youths were reported missing after their visit to Iraq. The four had used Iraq pilgrimage tour to enter the Iraq. The tour agency which helped the four youths get the visa came under NIA scanner.