J&K: ISIS ideology a bigger threat than the Hurriyat

Srinagar, Sept 10: The Intelligence Bureau has identified that circulation of an ISIS ideology in Jammu and Kashmir has led to the unrest. The protests this time around have a completely different dimension and if one looks at the propaganda material doing the rounds it becomes clear that it is being driven by an ISIS ideology, the officer with the Intelligence Bureau informed.

During various security meetings, it has been pointed out to the Ministry for Home Affairs that the radicalisation of the youth is a dangerous sign. The radicalisation process is based on ISIS ideology and this is a worrying sign, the IB had reported.

The Hurriyat Conference is one part of the problem. However, the trouble that is being caused by the separatists is marginal when compared to those who are driving the ISIS ideology in the Valley, the officer also said.

The Intelligence Bureau points out that there is no major module of the ISIS in the Valley. However, there are elements who are driving the propaganda for the ISIS and if not checked it could blow up into a major issue, the officer notes.

Recently investigations being conducted by the National Investigation Agency had revealed that at least 12 members have been roped in to set up an ISIS module in Jammu and Kashmir. Following the investigation of two people, it was learnt that they proposed to make an announcement by carrying out a major attack at the Dal Lake.

The NIA says that further investigations being conducted in the aftermath of the arrest of Mufti Abdul Sami have revealed that the ISIS was planning on setting up a module in Kashmir. Although he was arrested, his 12 men are on the job of setting up a module in the state.

In the month of January 2016, the NIA had arrested Mufti Abdul Sami Ghani, an alleged ideologue of the ISIS. During his questioning it was found that he had made two visits to Kashmir's Kupwara and Banihal.

In the visits that he made in 2014, he is said to have delivered speeches to a select group of youth that is now being suspected as part of an activity to set up modules in the state.

The NIA is now analysing the statements made by Sami and comparing it to what it had found when it probed an ISIS module in West Bengal.

It was learnt that members of the West Bengal module too had proposed setting up shop in Kashmir. It was learnt that they had carried out a reconnaissance at the Dal Lake. The plan was to carry out a knife attack on the foreigners visiting the Dal Lake.

This would have not only given the ISIS the desired mileage, but also help them announce their arrival in the Valley.

OneIndia News