Kashmir struggle indigenous, not like IS and Al-Qaeda, say separatists

The statement comes in wake of a recent incident in which some suspected militants asked people not to carry Pakistani flags and instead asked them to hoist black flags, similar to that of the ISIS and Al-Qaeda.

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Photo for representational purpose

The joint separatist leadership in Kashmir Monday distanced itself from global jihadi outfits like ISIS and Al Qaeda, saying their “freedom struggle” “is indigenous”.

“The ongoing freedom struggle is indigenous. Terrorism and the freedom movement are poles apart,” the joint leadership of Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik said in a statement.

“The Indian agencies are desperate to malign the movement and under a well thought out plan they were drafting policies to bring a bad name to the freedom struggle of Kashmir”, they said.

“Our movement has nothing to do with these world-level groups and practically they are nonexistent in the state. There is no role for these groups in our movement,” they said.

“Authorities in Delhi have now started to play a vicious game under the garb and label of ‘holy war’. It is a ploy to create a wedge between people and bravehearts (militants).”

The statement assumes significance in wake of a recent incident in which some suspected militants asked people not to carry Pakistani flags and instead asked them to hoist black flags, similar to that of the ISIS and Al-Qaeda.

Bashaarat Masood

Bashaarat Masood is a Special Correspondent with The Indian Express. He has been covering Jammu and Kashmir, especially the conflict-ridden Kashmir valley, for two decades. Bashaarat joined The Indian Express after completing his Masters in Mass Communication and Journalism from the University in Kashmir. He has been writing on politics, conflict and development. Bashaarat was awarded with the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Awards in 2012 for his stories on the Pathribal fake encounter. Expertise and Experience Two Decades of Frontline Reporting: Bashaarat has spent 20 years documenting the evolution of Kashmir, from high-intensity conflict and political shifts to socio-economic development. Award-Winning Investigative Journalism: He is a recipient of the prestigious Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award (2012). This honor was bestowed for his reporting on the Pathribal fake encounter, a series of stories that highlighted his ability to handle sensitive human rights and security issues with investigative rigor. Specialized Beats: His authoritative coverage spans: Political Transitions: Tracking the shift from statehood to Union Territory, electoral dynamics, and the pulse of local governance. Security & Conflict: Providing nuanced reporting on counter-insurgency, civil liberties, and the impact of the conflict on the civilian population. Development: Documenting the infrastructure, healthcare, and educational landscape within the Valley. Academic Background: He holds a Masters in Mass Communication and Journalism from the University of Kashmir, providing him with a localized academic and professional foundation that is rare in regional reporting. ... Read More

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