Islamic State flag raised in Srinagar again
Today's incident is the latest among more than a dozen episodes of IS flag raising in the Kashmir Valley in recent months, which have been a concern for security forces.
Islamic State (IS), Pakistan and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) flags were displayed again near the Jama Masjid in Srinagar after Friday prayers. Today's incident is the latest among more than a dozen episodes of IS flag raising in the Kashmir Valley in recent months, which have been a concern for security forces. Incidents of stone pelting on the police were also reported from some parts of Srinagar.
According to reports, at least 12 youth have been identified by security agencies for allegedly raising the flag of the dreaded terror group IS in Kashmir in the recent past. According to a senior police official, the 12 youth are suspected to be behind almost all incidents where IS flags were raised in Kashmir. The youth have been identified on the basis of intelligence inputs, footage of CCTV cameras, still and video photographs. Police are keeping a close watch on them.
Meanwhile, the situation in the Valley remained tense after Pakistani troops violated the ceasefire on the border thrice on Thursday. The Ministry of Home Affairs had earlier said that the terrorists involved in Punjab's Gurdaspur terror attack, which claimed the lives of four security personnel and three civilians, were linked to the Lashkar-e-Taiba. All three terrorists were killed in an 11-hour gunbattle.
Last Friday, mysterious terror posters had appeared in Pulwama area of South Kashmir. The posters claiming to be from Hizbul Mujahideen, a Kashmir-based and Islamic group, warned the people to stay away from "immoral" acts. It asked beauty parlours to shut down their businesses in the area.
While Pakistani-based outfits such as Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed and Hizbul Mujahideen are operating in the Valley, the appearance of Islamic State and al Qaeda supporters has caused concern. Graffiti welcoming Islamic State, Taliban and al Qaeda have also appeared in many parts of Srinagar. A senior Army official had earlier said that the Middle-East terror outfit has been trying to gain a foothold in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir.