Wikipedia

Islamic State in Jammu and Kashmir

The Islamic State in Jammu and Kashmir (ISJK, ISIS–JK, Islamic State – J&K) is a group loyal to the Islamic State, claimed to be operating in Kashmir, specifically the Kashmir Valley of Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir.[2] It is not an official faction of the Islamic State.

Islamic State in Jammu and Kashmir
FoundersDawood Ahmed Sofi †[1]
Ishfaq Ahmad Sofi  †
Dates of operation2017–present
Allegiance Islamic State
Active regionsJammu and Kashmir
IdeologyIslamism
Salafism
Islamic extremism
Salafist Jihadism
Anti-Barelvi
Anti-Deobandi
Anti-Hindu sentiment
Anti-Indian sentiment
Opponents
Battles and warsInsurgency in Jammu and Kashmir

History

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The Islamic State announced in 2016 that ISKP will expand into Kashmir.[3] In 2017, protestors all around Kashmir, especially in Srinagar, waved the Islamic State flag alongside the Pakistani flag at various rallies.[4][5] In Nowhatta, outside of the Jamia Masjid, a group of people set the Indian flag on fire while flying the Pakistani and Islamic State flags.[4] Flying the Pakistani flag, or any national flag, is against the Islamic State's doctrine and is unlike anything that they would do. Later, the Jammu and Kashmir Police confirmed that the Islamic State had no involvement in the rallies and that it was only locals.[6] The ISJK's existence has mostly been observed online. In December 2017, a pro-Islamic State video in Urdu was shared on Telegram, using the hashtag "Wilayat Kashmir" (Kashmir Province) in which a masked man pledges allegiance to the Islamic State and invited AQI-affiliated groups to join the Islamic State. The ISJK has not been listed an official Islamic State wilayah (province).[7] 

The ISJK is not recognised by the Islamic State, and ISPP and ISHP are the ones responsible for Islamic State activities in Pakistani and Indian controlled Kashmir, respectively. The Islamic State – Khorasan Province had anncouned the creation of ISHP for IS on 11 May 2019 on Amaq News Agency after clashes in Jammu and Kashmir in which ISJK leader Ishfaq Ahmad Sofi was killed.[8]

The ISJK is against LeT, JeM, and HM, who have openly rejected both Al-Qaeda and Islamic State propaganda. The United Jihad Council chairman and HM leader, Syed Salahuddin, stated that Kashmiri jihad movement is indigenous, and does not have a worldwide caliphate goal, and claimed that both al-Qaeda-affiliated groups and the ISJK are attempts by the Indian government to ruin the image of the Kashmiri jihad movement.[9][10] Syed Ali Shah Geelani accused ISJK, and the Islamic State as a whole, of being un-Islamic and a creation of the West with the intention of dividing Muslims.[11] The ISJK aims to spread the Islamic State caliphate to Jammu and Kashmir, rather than to split from India or to merge with Pakistan.[12]

Activities

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The Islamic State claimed responsibility for an attack in Srinagar on 17 November 2017, which killed an Indian policeman.[13]

The ISJK also threatened Pakistani ISI and its affiliated groups in Kashmir.[2]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Islamic State J-K chief among 4 terrorists killed in Kashmir". Rediff.com. 22 June 2018. Archived from the original on 20 December 2022. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  2. ^ a b Majid,DHNS, Zulfikar (14 July 2022). "ISJK takes a dig at Pakistani spy agency ISI over Lal Bazar terror attack". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
  3. ^ "Islamic State threatens to 'expand to Kashmir'". The Indian Express. 3 February 2016. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
  4. ^ a b "Tricolour burnt, Pakistan and ISIS flags hoisted in Srinagar". India Today. 21 August 2015. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
  5. ^ PTI (1 August 2018). "No presence of ISIS in Kashmir, only cases of waving of flags". The Statesman. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
  6. ^ "No ISIS Link to Flag Waving in Srinagar, Say Kashmir Police". NDTV.com. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
  7. ^ "'کشمیری تنظیم کا دولت اسلامیہ سے وفاداری کا اعلان'". BBC News اردو (in Urdu). 26 December 2017. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
  8. ^ Islamic State claims province in India for first time after clash in Kashmir. Euronews.
  9. ^ "Kashmir freedom movement is indigenous, has no global agenda: Salahuddin". The INS News. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
  10. ^ Network, KL News (28 July 2017). "'Kashmir freedom movement is indigenous', sans global agenda: Salahuddin". Kashmir Life. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
  11. ^ "ISIS an un-Islamic group, says Hurriyat chief Geelani". Hindustan Times. 29 June 2015. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
  12. ^ "'The clock is ticking.' In Kashmir, parents try to find their militant sons before Indian forces get to them". Los Angeles Times. 28 August 2017. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
  13. ^ "IS claims Zakura attack". The Tribune India.
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