Kannur: In a shocking incident, it is reported that 10 people have left Kannur to join the Islamic State (IS), a terrorist organisation. Police got information that two families from Poothappara in Azhikode and a man from Kuruva have left the place to join Islamic State. It is assumed that they have moved to IS centre in Syria or Afghanistan.

Poothappara native K Sajjad, his wife Shahina, their two children and another family from Poothappara including Anwar, his wife Afseela and their three children have left Kannur. Kuruva native TP Nissam also left his native place to join the terrorist group.

On November 20, they left the state in the pretext of going to Mysuru. As they did not return, police carried out an investigation about them.

According to reports, the people moved to UAE and they went missing from there. As IS centres in Syria are almost destructed, they might have moved to Afghanistan, say police.

Police initiated a probe into the case under DySP P Sadanandan.

It is learned that the people had links with the terrorist group. Their relatives and friends left the country to join IS. Anwar’s wife Afseela was the sister in law of Shameer, an IS member who was killed. Shameer’s two sons namely Salman and Safwan were also killed.

Police assume that Anwar and wife decided to join IS after the death of their relatives. Sajjad from Poothappara was a close friend of deceased Shameer.

Earlier, Turkey police arrested 35 people including 13 children from Kannur who moved to join IS. They were taken to Kannur later.