India, April 14 -- For Uttar Pradesh's Ali Murtaza, what was meant to be a pilgrimage to Mecca turned into a nightmare after he was allegedly drawn into an evil plot to recruit him for Jihad in Syria.

Murtaza, a Meerut resident, described his ordeal to the police, which is now investigating the case. A local travel agent who facilitated Murtaza's trip has been arrested.

However, the case has sent shockwaves through his hometown and sparked national concern.

In a chilling video message shared from Saudi Arabia, Murtaza claimed that he was held hostage by a terror recruitment ring, led by Haji Shahzad, who has been identified as the prime accused.

Shahzad is originally from Uttar Pradesh's Saharanpur but is now reportedly operating from...