Al Qaeda, the terrorist organisation has now turned its attention to the Indian Subcontinent. It aims to target Indian security and leaders of Hindu “separatist” organisations. It has recently released an elaborate document titled ‘Code of conduct for Mujahideen in the subcontinent’ detailing its objectives, targets, and do’s and don’ts for members. “All personnel of the military are our targets, whether they be in the war zone or in barracks at their bases. Even the personnel on vacation are not exempted due to their battle against implementation of sharia,” said the document.
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“Officers are a greater priority than soldiers. The greater is the seniority, greater is our priority to kill him. Those officers of the military who have the blood of our Kashmiri brothers on their hands are our targets,” the outfit said.
This religious extremist group has been responsible for spreading terror across the globe, with camps for militants in various regions. Their document makes several references to Kashmir, and refers to a resident of UP, Maulana Asim Umar, UP, as the ’emir’ or chief of the so-called al-Qaida in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS).
Indian Intelligence claim that they have been keeping a close tab on the development, since it came soon after Hizbul commander Zakir Musa floated a new outfit and openly acknowledged support from Qaida.
The document also mentions that hostages should either be traded for one of their own, given up for a ransom or they will be killed. It also elaborated on targets in Pakistan, Myanmar and Bangladesh. They also urged different groups fighting in the subcontinent to pledge allegiance and come together under the banner of “Islamic emirate of Afghanistan,” to fight against a common enemy.
Al-Qaeda, who has declared the Islamic State as its enemy established that their objectives and mode of operation are in complete contrast with the latter group.
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“The document mentions that the Mujahideen will not attack common Hindus, Muslims or Buddhists and also not strike places of worship. This is in sharp contrast with ISIS (another abbreviation for IS, also known as Daesh) which has been targeting mosques on priority,” stated an official.
AQIS, is the top threat to India at the moment, say officials. Formed by Qaida chief Ayman al Zawahiri and Asim Umar in September 2014, the outfit is backed by Pakistan’s secret service ISI and has sleeper cells in various parts of the country, added the officials.
In December 2015, security agencies had busted several sleeper modules of the outfit across the country. Umar Hyderabadi, Abu Sufiyan, Mohammed Sami and Dr Sabeel, who is the brother of 2007 Glasgow airport bomber Kafeel, have been identified as significant members. Farhatullah Ghori, allegedly responsible for the Gujarat Akshardham attack, has also been listed as an AQIS member.