2 days after Army Chief warning, ISIS, Pak flags waved in Kashmir

2 dozen injured in violent protests

Shabir Ahmad

SRINAGAR: Only two days after Army Chief General Bipin Rawat warned of action against those hoisting ISIS and Pakistani flags, protesters in old Srinagar waved both the flags during a violent protest on Friday that left two dozen people injured.
SIS flags were hoisted by groups of youths during a protest rally in Nowhatta area of old Srinagar soon after the Friday prayers.
Eyewitness said that soon after the prayers ended at Jamia Masjid in old Srinagar, clashes broke out when protesters attacked the police and paramilitary forces with stones. Some youth, who were wearing masks, waved ISIS and Pakistani flags. The youths were chanting pro-Pakistan and anti-India slogans, said witnesses.
Hardliner Hurriyat Conference Chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani had called for protests across Valley after Friday prayers.
When the protesters pelted stones, the police resorted to tear gas firing to disperse the mob. Around two dozen people were injured during the protests. The situation was reported to be normal when last reports came in.
Last year, there were more than a dozen incidents of ISIS flag being raised in Valley.
Police officials said that they have started investigations. “Yes, flags were hoisted by some youths in old Srinagar. We are checking the video footage,” a police officer said adding that the youth who waved the flag left the spot immediately.
Gen Bipin Rawat had on Wednesday issued a strong warning to those who back terrorists during counter-insurgency operations and hoist ISIS and Pakistani flags.
"Those who obstruct our operations during encounters and aren't supportive will be treated as Over Ground Workers of terrorists," the Army chief had said.
"We would now request the local population that people who have picked up arms, and they are the local boys, if they want to continue with the acts of terrorism displaying flags of ISIS and Pakistan, then we will treat them as anti-national elements. They may survive today but we will get them tomorrow. Our relentless operations will continue," the Army Chief has said.