Taking their agitation to another level, Hurriyat supporters, yet another time, raised Pakistani and Islamic State (IS) flags in Kashmir Valley on Friday. While Pakistani flags have continuously been waved and reappeared in Kupwara district of J&K, ISIS flags were waved in Srinagar by the separatist leaders’ supporters.
Amidst pro-Pakistani slogans, flag of the dreaded Islamic State (IS) was waved at a rally at the Jama Masjid in the Nowhatta area here. According to media reports, Hurriyat hardliner Mirwaiz Umar Farooq’s supporters raise ISIS flag near Jama Masjid shortly after Friday prayers were over.
Whereas, supporters of separatist leader Sabhir Shah waved Pakistani flags in Kupwara district of the state.
A group of youth, with faces covered and carrying a black banner resembling Islamic State flag, marched from Jamia Masjid towards Nowhatta chowk soon after the Friday prayers, PTI quoted official sources as saying.
After the black flag was unfurled, cries of ‘Jeeve Jeeve Pakistan’ were also heard.
Those in the rally later blocked the road leading to the mosque and took to stone pelting, targeting nearby security forces.
Shortly after the incident took place, Jammu and Kashmir National Panther’s Party Bhim Singh called for Governor’s rule to be imposed in the state.
No arrests have been made so far in the said case.
Meanwhile, reports from Kupwara in north Kashmir said Pakistani flags were hoisted at some places there too after the Friday prayers.
Violent protests were also reported from Sopore town and some other areas of Baramulla district leading to clashes with law enforcing agencies, the sources said. However, there were no reports of anyone getting hurt in the clashes.
On Tuesday, Hardline Hurriyat Conference headed by Syed Ali Shah Geelani had called for protests after Friday prayers against the killing of Tehreek-e-Hurriyat activist Altaf Sheikh by unidentified gunmen.
On earlier occasions as well Pakistani flags and Islamic State flags have appeared in the Valley. Last month, Pakistani flags were hurled at a rally organised by Shabir Shah in Anantnag area of the Valley, prompting police to take him and his two close aides into custody.
Earlier this month, hardline Hurriyat Conference leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani tagged Pakistan as a ‘well-wisher’ and said that people will continue to wave Pakistani flags in the Kashmir valley.
Despite Centre’s warning against such incidents in the Valley, the separatists continue to dare the government by waving Pakistani flags repeatedly.
