dedicated the killing to the Islamic State has prompted a now familiar question: Was the killer truly acting under orders from the Islamic State, or just seeking publicity and the group's approval for a personal act of hate? In this case, there was a stark resonance between Islamic State propaganda and the killer's choice of target. Influencing distant attackers to pledge allegiance to Islamic State is a core part of group's propaganda. For the terror planners of the Islamic State, the difference is mostly irrelevant. This public oath is about the only requirement that the Islamic State imposes on followers who wish to carry out acts of terror in its name.

Source: Times of India June 14, 2016 09:49 UTC