Kerala: Brother an NSG commando, sister may have joined IS | Latest News India - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Kerala: Brother an NSG commando, sister may have joined IS

Hindustan Times | By, Thiruvananthapuram
Jul 11, 2016 11:12 AM IST

It became increasingly clear to Bindu that her daughter Nimisha could be among the 20-odd people who have disappeared mysteriously from Kerala’s two districts and are now feared to have joined the Islamic State (IS) terrorist outfit.

One child grew up to fight for the country. The other might have joined a terror group in West Asia.

Bindu Kumar, the mother of the missing woman, meets Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday.(Ramesh Babu/HT Photo)
Bindu Kumar, the mother of the missing woman, meets Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday.(Ramesh Babu/HT Photo)

The irony is not lost on a devastated Bindu Kumar, whose daughter is among the 20-odd people who mysteriously disappeared from two Kerala districts and are feared to have joined outfits such as the Islamic State.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

“My tears have dried up. I can only pray now. I hope God will help me in tracing my daughter who will turn 24 next month,” says the Thiruvananthapuram resident.

She begs the media to keep her son -- an army man on deputation to the National Security Guard (NSG) -- out of the news. She says he always wanted to join the army.

But she doesn’t know how her daughter Nimisha, who used to be just another teenager who loved television programmes, could have been radicalised.

“I was shocked to see my daughter, who loved to wear casual dresses, in full purdah (veil),” she told HT.

Security officials say the 20-odd people have been off the radar for over a month. Two messages sent by them to some relatives have been tracked to Afghanistan and Egypt.

“My children were religious and patriotic. My son wanted to be a military officer and daughter chose the medical profession. We were happy when both got the careers of their choice,” says Bindu.

Her husband runs a small restaurant in the city. “Mom’s sweet daughter going to bed, sweet kisses,” was the last message Nimisha sent to her parents on June 3. When the mother called her back the next day, Nimisha’s phone was switched off. There has been no contact since.

Nimisha’s parents first realised something was wrong last November, when she stopped taking their calls. Bindu rushed to the dental college Nimisha was studying in north Kerala’s Kasargode district, only to be told that she had converted to Islam for marriage.

“She used to share all her experiences in college with me. But this was a terrible shock for me,” says Bindu.

Nimisha took the name Fathima and married 30-year-old Bexin Vincent, a Christian MBA graduate who took the name Eza after converting to Islam.

Bindu dragged the couple to court but was told that Nimisha was an adult and could marry whoever she chose.

“Once she asked whether I would accept her if she came in a burqa. I told her she was welcome,” Bindu said. The last time Nimisha visited home was on May 16.

During Nimisha’s last two visits, Bindu noticed her daughter developed an aversion towards TV programmes.

“Once when I said being pregnant she should be consulting doctors regularly, she said she had once and did not believe in modern medicines any longer,” Bindu says, adding the baby is expected in September. The couple told their in-laws that they were going to Sri Lanka for pilgrimage.

Unveiling Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!

Get Current Updates on India News, Election 2024, Mukhtar Ansari Death News Live, Bihar Board 10th Result 2024 Live along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
  • ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    author-default-90x90

    Ramesh Babu is HT’s bureau chief in Kerala, with about three decades of experience in journalism.

SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On