The State Security Service (SSS), together with the police, in a joint operation uncovered an underground cell of the Islamic State - Vilayat Khorasan international terrorist organization in Namangan, the press service of the State Security Service said.

Reportedly, the group was founded by a teen, 19, who in 2022 underwent religious training in a religious cell in Istanbul (Turkey), where "her views radically changed."

"Upon learning about this, her father tried to reason with his daughter, but she accused him of lack of faith and called her own father an infidel.

"The leader of the cell created virtual channels and groups in the Telegram messenger with a total of more than 120 participants. In them, she distributed paraphernalia of the Islamic State organization, extremist materials, as well as audio and video files of jihadist content,” the SSS added.

The group “posted and made religious appeals aimed at educating young people in the spirit of “jihad” according to Sharia law, forming protest sentiments against the political, social and religious reforms being implemented in our country, as well as promoting the idea of the “Islamic State” among the public”.

During searches at the homes of 16 members of the group, 37 mobile phones, 51 units of religious literature without an indication of the publisher, 40 DVDs, 4 flash drives, a laptop and a tablet were seized as material evidence.

The underground group held meetings in Namangan, where “ideological sermons of international terrorist organizations were actively promoted, containing calls for “jihad” and becoming a “shahid,” the report stressed.

According to the investigation, one of the group members was the founder of a private university in Namangan.

Criminal cases have been opened against the organizer and three active members of the group. They have been remanded in custody, with other members remaining under investigation.