Most mainstream Muslim organisations in Kerala have denounced the so-called "Islamic State" (IS), also known as ISIS or ISIL, even as the investigation into the suspected defection of at least 12 Keralites to the proscribed organisation unfolded across the State and beyond India's borders on Sunday, The Hindu said.

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Meanwhile, Central and Kerala State security agencies were trying to gauge whether the "IS", which runs a slick online propaganda campaign, had gained any local appeal.

They were investigating whether any ultra-conservative religious outfit had recruited the “missing persons” for the embattled IS in Iraq and Syria.

Officials privy to the Central and State inquiries said the focus has also shifted to Sri Lanka, which “reports indicated” was the “common transit camp” for several of the “missing families” suspected to have joined the IS.

Sri Lanka orders probe

They told The Hindu that the Sri Lankan government was conducting its own investigation after reports emerged that at least two of its citizens had joined the IS last year.

The inquiries would also focus on how the “missing families” were radicalised, if they were at all.

They would centre on whether the missing persons were in "IS" territory and who guided them to their destination.

The agencies were sifting through hundreds of FB groups, which claim to be affiliated to the "IS" to see whether any evidence of the “missing families” would crop up.

(With inputs from The Hindu)