Militants from al-Qaeda’s central command have released a video calling on Muslims in the disputed Kashmir valley to follow the example of “brothers” in Syria and Iraq and wage a violent ‘jihad’ against Indian authorities.
The video, which cites the “new Afghanistan being created in Syria” as an inspiration, is the first to specifically target the disputed territory of Kashmir.
According to a report, the video titled “War should continue, message to the Muslims of Kashmir”, was recently uploaded to a website where statements by other al-Qaeda leaders and affiliates have been released in the past.
It is unclear when the video was made, although its production apparently preceded the advances made by the militants of Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in Iraq this week.
The timing of the video’s release will underline the impression that senior al-Qaeda leaders based in Pakistan, who have suffered heavy losses in recent years, are increasingly marginal to the global ‘jihadi’ movement.
Led by Ayman al-Zawahiri, an Egyptian-born veteran militant who took over after the death of Osama bin Laden in May 2011, the group has made increasing efforts in recent years to mobilise the nearly half a billion Muslims who live in Pakistan, India and Bangladesh.
Zawahiri released a set of strategic guidelines last year that mentioned Kashmir.
Last July, a cleric who has been linked to al-Qaeda issued a video statement that reprimanded Indian Muslims for their supposed lack of interest in “global jihad”.
In the video, Kashmiri Muslims are urged to join the global ‘jihadi’ movement.
The video mentions Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq, Algeria and other theatres of recent Islamic extremism as inspirations to aspirant militants.
Specific messages are addressed to Kashmiri Muslims living on both sides of the de facto border between Pakistan and India, as well as to the broader Muslim populations of both countries.
Many within the Indian security establishment are concerned that the United States and NATO withdrawal of forces from Afghanistan may lead to extremists fighting there transferring to a new “front” in the disputed Kashmir valley.
The video promises a “caravan” of “heroic martyrs” coming from Afghanistan to “liberate Kashmir”.
Kashmir is a part of India and going to remains part of India. Modi is not going to scare. He knows ow to take care of. Soon India is going to make Kashmir as other states of India. I mean no Article 371/370. Retired army officers are going to move there with AK47. So Pakistan stop dreaming of Kashmir. Actually Pakistan is also part of India, but India is not going to take Pakistan. It is a country with full of Liability and lot of debts. Also Pakistanis are puppet of America.
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