Srinagar/New Delhi : The flow of suspected hawala funds from Gulf countries is adding to the woes of security agencies in Kashmir Valley as the illegal money is reported to be mainly used for creating infrastructure for radicalisation of youths in  a bid to wean them away from centuries old Sufi tradition.

As new religious institutions dot several parts of the Kashmir Valley, they have been attracting youths more where, according to the security assessments, the young men are indoctrinated with the type of religion being followed by likes of banned ISIS and al-Qaeda terror groups. The new trend has left many religious heads, who refused to come on record, worrying as they believe that the new generation of youth is being weaned away from Sufi tradition that has been followed in the Valley for centuries.

A senior security official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said  while older generation families offer prayers at their traditional mosques, the youth prefer to pray  at the new religious places which have been built in the last couple of years.

As questions crop up over the funding for new mosques, the Army, Police and central security agencies believe that large amount of illegal funds are  been pumped into the Valley from Gulf countries and  they apparently go unchecked.

“The funds come in small amounts to avoid detection. Besides we believe that certain business houses having their establishment in these countries, overinvoice their products and pass on the surplus funds,” a senior police official said.

   During various stone-pelting incidents in the Valley, the security agencies have seen “ISIS-JK” flags coming soon being waved by miscreants. “While we hope this is a publicity stunt but at the same time, we are closely watching it,” a senior police official said. The recent spurt in growth of large number of local militants can be attributed to this new trend and change in mindset of sections of the younger generation who have become more hostile, is also a general observation across the board among all wings of security agencies.

This large inflow of hawala funds from Gulf countries and more Kashmiri youths getting sucked into militancy are dangerously stoking terrorism in the Valley in a fresh test for security forces in their anti-militancy operations.