A method of packet handling in an information centric networking (ICN) network may be provided. A method may include receiving an interest packet at a network device, the interest packet comprising a name including one or more entries. The method may also include determining whether the name of the interest packet includes a specific symbol. Further, the method may include upon determining that the name of the interest packet includes the specific symbol, performing at least one action based on a final entry of the one or more entries.