Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind

Zakir Rashid Bhat was a Islamist Kashmiri militant. Popularly known as 'Zakir Musa. He was a former field operational commander of Hizbul Mujahideen.[5] In 2017, Zakir left Hizbul Mujahideen and later formed Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind in the Kashmir region. In July 2017, the Global Islamic Media Front claimed that Zakir Musa had been named the head of Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind, a newly created cell of Al-Qaeda.[1] After the killing of militant commander Abu Dujana and Arif Lelhari, a statement purported to be from Musa was released. The statement claimed that Dujana and Lelhari had joined Al-Qaeda and helped establish it. Officials stated that the voice of the message matched those of the earlier audio clips by Musa, though the state's DGP S.P. Vaid stated there was no way of authenticating the clips even though there were reports that Dujana and Musa were close at the time. Meanwhile, an audio-clip circulated on media that claimed to be the last message from Dujana and Arif during their encounter. Two voices claim allegiance to Al-Qaeda; however, no gunfire is heard and the authenticity of the clip was not proven.[6]

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.[7][8][9]

On 7 December 2017 the group released a statement that condemned United States President Donald Trump's declaration of moving the United States embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.[10]

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.[11]

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.[12][13]

In April 2018, the group published material that encouraged Muslims across India and Kashmir to carry out lone wolf attacks.[14]

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.[15]

On 21 December 2018, the group's deputy leader Soliha Mohammad Akhoon, also known as Rehaan Khan, was killed in an encounter with 55 Rashtriya Rifles and CRPF along with five other militants.[16]

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.[17]

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.[18]

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.[19]

On 22 April 2020, four militants of the group were killed in Shopian district's Melhora village during an encounter with Indian Army's 55 Rashtriya Rifles and the CRPF.[20] Two over-ground workers of Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind had been captured in Pulwama district on 22 May.[21]

On 29 April 2020, Group's deputy chief Burhan Koka was killed in an encounter in Shopian's Melhora area along with 2 other associates. [22]

On 9 April 2021, Jammu and Kashmir's Director General of Police, Dilbag Singh, said that the Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind has been "wiped out of Kashmir" for a second time, after 7 militants including its chief were killed in an encounter.[23]

On 11 July 2021, Prashant Kumar, ADG Law and Order, UP, said, “ATS UP has uncovered a big terror module. The team has arrested two terrorists linked with al-Qaeda's Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind.”[24]

• Hizbul Mujahideen