In Srinagar, posters appear welcoming IS chief

Posters with the photo of Islamic State (IS) chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, and flags of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) and Pakistan were waved by supporters of separatists in the old city areas of Srinagar on Friday.

The posters and flags were reportedly waved by masked protesters near Jamia Masjid in the old city area of Nowhatta soon after Friday prayers.

Though waving of Pakistan, LeT and IS flags has become a regular occurrence on Fridays in Srinagar over the past few months, it was the first time posters showing international terrorist Baghdadi were flashed.

The posters reportedly welcomed the self-proclaimed caliph to Kashmir.

IS flags had first appeared in Kashmir last October, and have become a regular sight since then. While Pakistan-based militant outfits LeT and Jaish-e-Mohammed do operate in Kashmir, the IS flags' appearance has put security forces in a fix.

Meanwhile, several youths were injured as security forces used pellet guns and resorted to tear-gas shelling and aerial firing to quell protests in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district after Friday prayers.