Security groups monitoring IS influence in Jammu and Kashmir

Officials in the security establishment, who are not authorised to speak to the media, said on condition of anonymity that there have been small pockets in the valley from where some youths are trying to get in touch with one or more handlers in Syria and Iraq. 

Last month, two masked gunmen appeared at the grave of a Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist in Pulwama during which they asked the gathering to follow the rules laid down by Taliban and IS and not support or raise slogans in favour of Pakistan. They gave fiery speeches for over three minutes in which they spoke about pan-Islamisation and the importance of having Shariat as a law, the officials said. 

While militant outfits including United Jehad Council, a conglomerate of terror outfits based out of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, as well as the local unit of Hizbul Mujahideen were quick to downplay the incident, security officials viewed it with more seriousness. The agencies felt if the growing influence of IS was not checked, it could be detrimental to the situation in the valley.