In a first, protesters wave flags critical of IS in Kashmir

A display of antiIslamic State (IS) flags outside Srinagar’s Jama Masjid after Friday’s prayers caught people by surprise, given that pro-IS flags are a routine feature here.

Witnesses said that a group of young men climbed a wall in Nawhatta chowk immediately after the prayers and displayed a poster depicting an IS commander. Written in Urdu, the poster shows the commander saying, “God does not order us to declare jihad against Israel”, in response to which a second line questions: “Then does God order you to blast mosques?”

The emergence of IS on a global scale seemed to enamour many of the younger people in Kashmir, particularly in Srinagar’s downtown where flags in support of the IS often get waved around during protests. Police attribute the allure to the “usage of Islamic symbols”. However, Friday’s stunt could indicate a changing mindset.

Almost all prominent militant groups in Kashmir, including the United Jihad Council and Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT), have been antagonistic to the claims and actions of IS. Last year in November, the LeT termed the IS “a production of anti-Islamic western countries, which had no role and scope in J&K”.

With fears of the group infiltrating Kashmir cropping up, police officials say there is hardly any presence of IS on the ground, and allege the flag hoisting routine is done “to annoy security forces” and “get media attention”. But Friday’s anomaly went unnoticed. Station House Officer (SHO), Nawhatta, Mudasir Shafi, said, “Today we had a relatively peaceful day after prayers. There were some minor incidents of stone pelting,” adding he was unaware of the incident.

ALMOST ALL MILITANT GROUPS IN KASHMIR HAVE BEEN ANTAGONISTIC TO THE CLAIMS AND ACTIONS OF THE ISLAMIC STATE