Zakir Musa: Won't rest till India is "liberated"
The Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind, a Kashmir-based al Qaeda affiliate led by former Hizbul Mujahideen leader Zakir Musa, has issued a statement that they will not rest until "occupied Hindustan" is "liberated." The statement cited the 8th century example of Muhammed bin Qasim who allegedly killed Sindh's Hindu king and established Shariah in that region. Who is Zakir Musa? What statement did he make? Read on.
Who is Zakir Musa?
Zakir Musa is one of the most notorious Kashmiri terrorists, known to provoke the youth to pick up arms. He was named the successor of late Burhan Wani, who was shot by Indian forces in 2016. Zakir Musa had left his BTech course in Chandigarh to join militancy. He posted his first video in August 2016 and asked people to unite.
Difference between Burhan Wani and Zakir Musa
Burhan and Zakir are different. Burhan fought those secularists who resisted their struggle while Zakir talked about killing all secularists. Burhan wanted an independent Kashmir but Zakir wants a caliphate that extends throughout India. Moreover, while Burhan united separatists and militants, Zakir has divided them.
Zakir targets separatists and quits Hizbul Mujahideen
Zakir targeted separatists that they shouldn't stop the establishment of Shariah as "they run their politics." If they do so, he would "chop off their heads and will hang them at Lal Chowk." Hizb was shocked and it issued a statement that this was "Musa's personal opinion." Zakir retaliated that "Hizb has disassociated itself from my statement, so I am disassociating myself from Hizb."
Zakir launches al Qaeda in Kashmir
Zakir launched al Qaeda's Kashmir branch in July 2017. His slogan Shariat ya Shahadat (Islamic law or Martyrdom) became popular, and he gained many followers. A CRPF officer told News 18 that today's Kashmiri youth is against the "status quo." They feel that the separatists and militants "are compromised in one way or another." Musa "broke away from this status quo," attracting followers.
What statement has Zakir released?
Zakir has appealed to the Muslims "to sacrifice their comforts and join the battle to re-establish the Islamic caliphate." He said that the Al-Sindh region in the Indian subcontinent was ruled by Muhammed bin Qasim of the Umayyad Caliphate using Shariah. Qasim killed Sindh Kingdom's Raja Dahir to avenge the latter's treatment of Muslim women as sex slaves after attacking their pilgrim ship.
What does Zakir's popularity imply?
Zakir's popularity has shaken other terror groups, Hizbul Mujahideen and Lashkar-e-Taiba. They said "al Qaeda has no requirement in Kashmir." But the Islamic Students League feels that "Zakir's view that Kashmir is a religious issue and not political" is consonant with many. A CRPF officer says, if al Qaeda, an international group, becomes active in Kashmir, "it would be deadlier than Pakistani groups."
