Protests in Kashmir over Israel's offensive on Gaza strip

SRINAGAR: A flag of Islamic State previously known as Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) was hoisted by some masked youth outside the Jamia Masjid as violent protests erupted at different places here against Israel's Gaza offensive that has killed scores of Palestinian civilians.

The protests erupted shortly after Friday prayers at Jamia Masjid and adjoining areas in downtown and Maisuma in the heart of the city where police also foiled a march by JKLF, officials said.

A group of youth, shouting slogans in solidarity with Palestinians, indulged in stone-pelting at Jamia Masjid, Saraf Kadal, Bohrikadal and Nowhatta after police tried to stop them from marching in a procession in violation of prohibitory orders to protest what they called "massacre" of civilian by Israel and the "criminal silence" by the world bodies.

Some of the youth raised the black flag of ISIS but disappeared after police fired teargas shells and used batons to restore law and order, the officials said.

They said there was no report of any causalities in the clashes.

JKLF activists led by senior Vice President Bashir Ahmad Bhat also took out a rally from the party headquarters at Maisuma after the Friday prayers but were stopped and chased by police shortly after reaching Budshah Chowk.

Fearing law and order problem, police detained JKLF chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik and swung into action when Bhat led the rally from the JKLF headquarters.

The clash between the police and the JKLF activists briefly disrupted normal activities in Maisuma and adjoining areas, the officials said.