India arrests suspected Islamic State recruiter allegedly linked to Zakir Naik: Report

Security forces in Navi Mumbai have arrested a suspected Islamic State recruiter allegedly linked to controversial preacher Zakir Naik's foundation, according to Indian media reports.

Arshid Qureshi, alleged to have brainwashed youngsters in Kerala and influenced them to join the IS, was arrested in a joint operation by anti-terror squad and Kerala police on Wednesday, NDTV reported on Friday.

He has been remanded to four days’ police custody.

He is believed to have been working with Zakir Naik's Islamic Research Foundation as a Public Relations Officer since 2004 and was drawing a salary of Rs 44,000, police sources told the NDTV.

The TV station reported a case was registered against Qureshi in Kerala last month after parents of one of the 15 youngsters, who had gone missing and were suspected to have joined the IS, alleged that he played a key part in their recruitment.

Mumbai-based Naik is the subject of multiple inquiries in India over allegedly incendiary speeches.

He is currently in Saudi Arabia and has said he will not return to India this year.

In a Skype press conference last week, he said "I am not running away".

He said that it was always his intent to spend most of this year abroad, and insisted that so far, no Indian official or agency has contacted him with queries.

Bangladesh has accused the 50-year-old doctor of inspiring the young men who killed 20 hostages at a Dhaka cafe earlier this month.

The country has banned his Peace TV and Peace Mobile. Educational institutions named Peace School are also under police surveillance.