ISLAMABAD – Daesh or Islamic State terrorism outfit could not establishfoothold in Occupied Kashmir due to Pakistan, admits Indian Army

The Islamic State (IS) terror group had announced in May that it hasestablished its first ‘province’ in Jammu and Kashmir, calling it the’Wilayah of Hind’.

It made the claim after an encounter in Kashmir, in which one terroristkilled was believed to be an IS sympathizer.

Over five months from the time of the claim, there was still no evidence ofthe Sunni jihadi group establishing any foothold in Jammu and Kashmir.

Officials in the Army have explained that it was because the brand of Islamespoused by the IS that does not inspire Kashmiris and secondly, Pakistandoes not patronize the terror outfit.

The IS claims religious authority over all practitioners of Islam bycalling itself a Caliphate.

“The IS never found any traction in Jammu and Kashmir,” an Army officialsaid.

He elaborated that Kashmiris do not find consonance with the violent brandof Islam propounded by the IS as they believe in a very nuanced version ofIslam and are mostly believers of the Sufi ideology.

“Kashmiris are witness to the chaos IS has created in other parts of Asia,”and hence kept distance from the terror outfit as it showed its truecolours, the official said.

Another major factor for the IS not being able to find a foothold in Jammuand Kashmir is that Pakistan does not support this terror outfit, IANS hasreported.