The alleged handler of the most influential pro-Islamic State (IS) Twitter account has been arrested. According to PTI, a senior police official in Bangalore confirmed the arrest of the pro-jihad tweeter “@ShamiWitness” who had been anonymously operating the account as “Mehdi”. The official, however, declined to provide details.

Bengaluru Police were on the hunt for “Mehdi” who was reported to be working as an executive based out of Bengaluru. Britain's Channel 4 News had aired the report regarding the country's IT capital's link with the Twitter account that is followed by foreign jihadis. The British news broadcaster did not reveal his full name as he said his life would be in danger. The account was shut down after the report surfaced. Channel 4 News had said his tweets, written under the name Shami Witness, were seen two million times each month, making him perhaps the most influential Islamic State Twitter account, with over 17,700 followers.