Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind
| Ansar Ghazwat ul-Hind | |
|---|---|
| انصار | |
 Flag of Ansar Ghazwat ul-Hind | |
| Founder | Zakir Rashid Bhat † |
| Leader | Gazi Ibrahim Khalid |
| Dates of operation | July 2017 – 23 October 2019 |
| Group(s) | Jaish E Mohamad |
| Headquarters | Kandhar |
| Ideology | Similar to Taliban |
| Part of |  Al-Qaeda |
| Allies | Taliban, Al-Qaeda, Jaish e Mohamad |
| Opponents |  India  Pakistan |
| Battles and wars | Kashmir conflict |
Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind (Urdu: انصار غزوات الهند) is an Islamic separatist jihadi organization and Al-Qaeda cell that is active in the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The outfit was formerly led by Zakir Rashid Bhat (alias Zakir Musa).[1][2][3][4] Jammu and Kashmir police said the group was completely "wiped out" of Kashmir in October 2019 but later media reports emerged of the group still being active.[5]
Background
The group derives its name from the Islamic prophecy of Ghazwa-e-Hind, the ultimate conquest of India. Ansar means supporters.
In July 2017, the Global Islamic Media Front claimed that Zakir Musa had been named the head of Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind.[6][7][8]
On 7 December 2017 the group released a statement that condemned United States President Donald Trump's deceleration of moving the United States embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.[9]
On 25 December 2017, in a video of a Kashmiri militant declaring allegiance to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant and declaring a new ISIL Province in Kashmir, the fighter called on Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind to ally with or give allegiance to ISIL and wage Jihad in Kashmir against the Indian government but the group declined.[10]
In February 2018, the group released a video of Zakir Musa calling on Indian Muslims to attack Indian army patrols and checkpoints as well as companies interested in investing in India.[11][12]
In April 2018, the group published material that encouraged Muslims across India and Kashmir to carry out lone wolf attacks.[13]
On 24 May 2019, Indian security forces killed Zakir Musa in an encounter in Tral region of Jammu and Kashmir. Security forces had to blast a chemist's house where Musa was hiding. The owner was sent in for negotiation to surrender, but Musa declined.[14]
On 22 October 2019, Indian security forces killed Hameed Lehari in an encounter in Awantipora, Jammu and Kashmir. He was the second leader of the organisation.[15]
On 21 November 2019, the group released a video condemning the Indian court ruling on the Babri Masjid. The group urged Muslims to retaliate against the decision.[16] The group's deputy chief Burhan Koka was killed in an encounter in Shopian's Melhora area on 29 April 2020 along with 2 other associates. [17]
Jammu and Kashmir's Director General of Police, Dilbag Singh, said that the Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind has been "wiped out of Kashmir" on 23 October 2019.[18]
However media reports were published that an over-ground worker of Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind had been captured in Pulwama on 22 May 2020.[19]
See also
References
- ^ "Al-Qaida-linked cell Ansar Ghazwat-Ul-Hind announces Zakir Musa as its chief in Kashmir". Times of India. Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. 27 July 2017. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
- ^ "Ansar Ghazwat ul-Hind / Foundation of New Movement of Jihad in Kashmir (AGH)". Tracking Terrorism. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
- ^ "Ansar-Ghazwat-ul-Hind". Site Intel Group. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
- ^ Jocelyn, Thomas (2 September 2017). "Al Qaeda-linked jihadist in Kashmir criticizes Pakistani Army". Long War Journal. Public Multimedia Inc. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
- ^ "Dilbag Singh: Al-Qaeda offshoot AGH wiped out from Kashmir: J&K DGP". m.economictimes.com. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
- ^ Kaur, Simarjeet (28 July 2017). "Zakir Musa Will Lead New Outfit in Kashmir". Global Daily Tribune. Archived from the original on 4 August 2017. Retrieved 4 August 2017.
- ^ "Al-Qaida-linked cell Ansar Ghazwat-Ul-Hind announces Zakir Musa as its chief in Kashmir". Times of India. Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. 27 July 2017. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
- ^ Pandit, M. Saleem (18 September 2017). "Hizbul blames Zakir Musa for 'helping forces kill Kashmiris'". Times of India. Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
- ^ Zelin, Aaron Y. (7 December 2017). "New statement from Anṣār Ghazwat al-Hind: "Concerning Developments on Jerusalem"". jihadology.net. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
- ^ "Wilāyat Kashmīr". jihadology.net. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
- ^ Zelin, Aaron Y. (25 February 2018). "New video message from Anṣār Ghazwat al-Hind's Dhākr Musā: "Kashmir Will Become the Abode of Islam"". jihadology.net. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
- ^ "AQ-Aligned Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind Leader Calls 'Every Able Youth' to Attack Indian Army, Companies Seeking Investment in India". ent.siteintelgroup.com. 26 February 2018. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
- ^ "Kashmir-focused Media Group Incites for Lone-Wolf Attacks in India". ent.siteintelgroup.com. 24 April 2016. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
- ^ Sandhu, Kamaljit Kaur; Shuja-ul-Haq (24 May 2019). "Burhan Wani's successor Zakir Musa killed in encounter, curfew in parts of Jammu and Kashmir". India Today. Living Media India Limited. Retrieved 24 May 2019.
- ^ "Big win for security forces; Zakir Musa's successor gunned down". Rediff. 23 October 2019. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
- ^ Mohammad, Niala (21 November 2019). "Militant Group Vows Retaliation Following Indian Court Ruling". VoA News. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
- ^ Three AuGH militants killed in Kashmir’s Shopian
- ^ Javaid, Azaan (23 October 2019). "Zakir Musa's al Qaeda-inspired militant group 'wiped out' from Kashmir". ThePrint. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
- ^ "2 overground workers of Hizbul Mujahideen and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind arrested in J-K's Pulwama". The New Indian Express. 22 May 2020. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
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