New Delhi, October 21 – Making official the Army’s concerns on the incidents of Islamic State (ISIS) flag waving in the Kashmir valley, a detailed report is believed to have been submitted to Army HQ and the Ministry of Defence describing the incidents as a ‘dangerous trend’ that requires a ‘coordinated effort’ to ensure it does not transform into a bigger security challenge.
The report, broad details of which have been made available by sources, is understood to be a detailed assessment asked for by Army Headquarters after Lt Gen Subroto Saha, chief of its Srinagar-based 15 Corps, stated last week that the incidents of Islamic State flag waving was a cause of ‘serious concern’.
His statement went fully against Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s own assessment of the incidents as the work of ‘idiots’. The Military Intelligence (MI) report provides details of three separate incidents in which ISIS flag-bearing was witnessed: in Sopore, Handwara (the report is believed to specify that this incident hasn’t been photographed) and most recently in Srinagar last week.
The report is also believed to mention that apart from the two individuals who were arrested by the J&K Police last week in Srinagar (Javed Ahmed Lone and Hasheem Ahmed Mir), the Special Operations Group is on the look-out for six more invididuals. More ISIS flags are believed to have been found in Mir’s residence in Srinagar’s Jawaharnagar area.
Echoing the Lt Gen Saha’s concerns, sources said the MI report briefs the government on how a ‘coordinated effort’ is required urgently required to see if the ‘flag bearing incidents’ involve: (a) fringe sympathisers, (b) disgruntled elements or (c) proxies or operatives testing the ‘environment’ (read political and security response) ahead of more direct presence or actions.
Broadly, the report is believed to suggest that lack of concerted action would likely embolden potentially fringe groups or individuals to mount activities beyond mere public gestures with Islamic State flags.
Significantly, sources say the report also touches upon the Islamic State’s reported intention to recruit in India, indicating that ‘fertile ground’ exists in pockets of the valley for such ‘manipulation’. The report is believed to call for the government to treat the incidents with the ‘highest importance to nip any nefarious intentions in the bud’.
Finally, the report is also believe to touch upon the lack of any ‘outright condemnation’ from valley entities including separatist groups, something that may be construed as ‘sympathy’ for such actions.
-INDIA TODAY
