“No Kashmiri has joined the Taliban“, the Jammu and Kashmir police said amid reports that a few youths from the union territory had joined the ranks of the terror organisation. “Totally wrong,” said a top official when asked to comment.

Also read: We have right to raise voice for Muslims in Kashmir, say Taliban

Asked whether the situation in Afghanistan would have an impact in Kashmir, DGP Singh said, “There is nothing to worry about, everything is fine.” Asked about the reports of some youths from the valley joining the Taliban, the police chief said, “This is totally wrong and fake news…Such fake news on social media is malicious propaganda by Pakistan and pro-Pakistan agents. Everything is fine. The youth are playing cricket, volleyball, and rugby. Don’t you see those pictures? Every child here wants to secure his future and no one is going that way,” he said, reports PTI.

Also read: Who is Sheikh Haibatullah Akhundzada?

As the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, reports started doing the rounds on social media that 60 youth from the valley had joined the militant group. Citing security sources, these reports claimed that Taliban men had infiltrated into the valley with a clear agenda to foment trouble.

These reports got a further push with the Taliban statement they had the right to raise a voice for Kashmiris. In an interview with BBC Urdu, Taliban spokesperson Suhail Shaheen said: “We have this right, being Muslims, to raise our voice for Muslims in Kashmir, India, and any other country.”

On the situation in the Kashmir Valley after the death of hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Singh said everything is under control and people have cooperated with the authorities.

“The situation is absolutely under control, not even a single incident occurred in the last two days. People cooperated and security forces are working with great restraint. I congratulate people…for keeping peace everywhere,” Singh told reporters in Baramulla district of north Kashmir.