With security agencies in India nabbing a number of the cadres of Al Qaeda in Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) module during the last one year, in a statement Al Qaeda chief Ayman al Zawahiri has expressed solidarity with those associated with the outfit here.
In the statement released recently, Zawahiri also extended support to Kashmiri groups claiming the outfit is committed to liberate "every hand span of the Muslim lands" including in Kashmir.
Intelligence assessments suggest the outfit's network in hinterland is damaged but its following in Kashmir is intact. The unholy nexus of ISI, JeM, leT and Al Qaeda continues to exist and is likely to focus on India instead of Afghanistan in the coming years.
The challenge before Indian agencies is to neutralise AQ modules here and turn those modules in the region against Pakistan.
"The sum and substance of the statement appears to be aimed towards encouraging those AQ fighters engaged in jehad in Africa and boosting the morale of those who have been on receiving end including the Indian Module," an official said.
In his exhortations, Zawahiri said, "We pledge allegiance to you to liberate every hand span of the Muslim lands from Kashgar to al Andalus, from Caucasus to Somalia and Central Asia, from Kashmir to Jerusalem, from the Philippines to Kabul, from Bukhara to Samarkand. We pledge allegiance to you to wage jihad against the leaders that have replaced the Sharia, those who have encroached themselves over the Muslim lands, cancelling the laws of Sharia and forcing the laws of the disbelievers on the Muslims….."
"We pledge allegiance to you to support the oppressed believers wherever they may be…. We pledge allegiance to you to defend the Islamic Emirate ….We pledge allegiance to you to establish the Caliphate upon the Prophetic methodology, that which is founded on the choice of the Muslims and their content. That which spreads justice of shura, establishes security, lifts oppression, restores rights and raises the banner of Jihad…," the four page statement further said.
The security agencies here have arrested dozens of AQIS cadres including the India chief of the outfit Mohammad Asif and his close associate Abdul Rehman Kataki.
A chargehseet has also been filed recently by the Special Cell of the Delhi Police against 13 other arrested AQIS members.