Islamic State Launches New Group To Expand Terror Operations In Kashmir

In an effort to boost presence of Islamic State in Kashmir, members and supporters of the terror outfit have created a group that will focus exclusively on carrying out attacks in the region, said a report in Hindustan Times.

The group, which has been named Ansarul Khilafah Jammu Kashmir, is said to have an active channel on the encrypted messaging service Telegram that it is putting to use in order to spread IS propaganda material including manuals for making weapons and planning and carrying out attacks.

According to the newspaper, the group has used this channel to call on Jammu and Kashmir Police personnel to direct their weapons at the “enemy of Muslims and Islam”. Recently, the group gave instructions on how its supporters “present at the clashes against the enemies of Islam in Kashmir” could prepare for Nice-like attack.

Although Indian security agencies insist the IS has no real presence in the Kashmir Valley, flags of the terror group are raised at almost all protest rallies by stone-pelting mobs. In the last three days, the bodies of two terrorists from have been draped in black shrouds bearing IS’ insignia rather than the Pakistani flag which is normally used by these outfits.

This development comes after terror commander Zakir Musa, in a series of audio messages released to the media, said that his fight is not limited to win “azadi for Kashmiris” but to wage a “larger battle for Islam and Caliphate”.