Emergence of a new terror group under the banner of Al Hind Brigade comprising former leaders of banned outfit Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) has set alarm bells ringing in the security establishment as the outfit aims to target right wing Hindu leaders.
The outfit had in a post in its internal communication network recently hailed the killing of Hindu leader Kamlesh Tiwari in Lucknow last month as a new beginning.
The development assumes significance as the crucial verdict on the Ramjanmbhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute is expected to be delivered by the Supreme Court before November 17.
Initial assessments suggest the outfit could have linkages with the Al Qaeda and Pakistan sponsored terror group Jaish-e-Mohammad, both of which have been seeking expand their footprint, especially in the wake of abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution that granted special status to Muslim-majority Jammu & Kashmir, sources said.
Regrouping of the SIMI that went underground over a decade back with the arrest of top leadership could pose major challenge for the security agencies and forces which are already stretched due to the enhanced responsibilities in tackling law and order situation in Jammu & Kashmir and taking preventive measures across the States in the wake of impending SC judgment on Ayodhya.
The new outfit might also be getting support of the sleeper cells of JeM in the hinterland which might be activated to foment major communal discord following verdict on the sensitive Ayodhya issue, sources said.
Following Centre’s decision to scrap Article 370 and bifurcate the erstwhile State of Jammu & Kashmir into the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh has rattled Pakistan as the move negates Islamabad’s position that there is a dispute over the State.
Having failed to gain any support from the international community on its opposition to the rescinding of the special status of J&K, Pakistan has been seeking to use its terror proxies to carry out hits in the Valley as well as the Indian hinterland, sources added.