Jammu and Kashmir: 9 Islamic State-inspired teens booked, sent to special homes

NEW DELHI: Nine Islamic State inspired juveniles in Jammu & Kashmir have been booked under Provisions of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and sent to special homes. They were involved in hurling petrol bombs, throwing stones and waving IS flags in the Valley. At least three of them, say sources, were planning to cross over to Pakistan for arms training.

The nine boys, aged between 15 and 17 years, were radicalised by a North Africa-based person via a WhatsApp group. While the WhatsApp group was named Al-Hayat, its leader went by the moniker Abu-Bakr. Sources told TOI that some foreigners were also part of this group.

Both Abu-Bakr and Al-Hayat are associated with the Islamic State. While Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is the head of IS, Al-Hayat is the name of the outfit's media wing. The detained Kashmiri boys were seen waving IS flags on several occasions in the Valley, after which government and army had raised concerns.

Agencies, however, deny that the juveniles were directly linked to IS or in touch with someone working on behalf of the global outfit. According to an intelligence officer, they were inspired by the idea of the Khilafah, made popular by Hizb-ul-Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani, and were possibly exploring means to achieve the larger purpose of establishing the rule of Shariah.

Sources added that many young Kashmiris have recently been closely following the videos and social media messages of Wani.

In one of his videos that went viral on WhatsApp and Facebook, Wani is seen asking youngsters in Kashmir to fight the Indian armed forces and warning police informers of serious consequences. Burhan, quoting the Quran, explained in the message why they have become militants. "We have left our families...our mothers and sisters...so that the chastity of your mothers and sisters is safeguarded. We are here so that Khilafah is established in Kashmir," he said in the message that was later blocked by the agencies.

An intelligence survey earlier this year had reported most internet searches on Islamic State from Jammu and Kashmir.

A senior counter terror official, while confirming the detention of the incipient IS-inspired group, said "the juveniles are being counselled at the special homes".

The government had informed Rajya Sabha on Wednesday that 79 youth in Jammu & Kashmir joined militancy this year until November 30, up from 60 in the corresponding period of last year. Most of them, the officials said, have joined Hizbul Mujahideen.

Around two dozen Indians have joined Islamic State so far, of which six have been killed. Many others were prevented from joining the outfit and counseled for de-radicalization.