Zee Media Bureau/Hemant Abhishek
New Delhi: In a chilling reminder to India`s new government under Narendra Modi of the perils that be, al Qaeda has reportedly released a video calling upon Muslims in Kashmir to follow example of Iraqis and Syrians and revolt against the authorities.
This is for the first time that the al Qaeda has specifically targeted Kashmiris in the video that is titled "War should continue, message to the Muslims of Kashmir", reports Guardian.com.
The video is being seen as an effort by marginalised guerilla leaders of the al Qaeda in Pakistan to rear their heads as they call upon Kashmiris to seek inspiration from the "new Afghanistan being created in Syria."
A recent UN report corroborates the lurking danger as it states that the al Qaeda affiliates from Pakistan and Uzbekistan that are participating regularly in attacks on Afghan military forces, could pose "a direct terrorist challenge" for Afghanistan, south and central Asia and the international community.
If the claims made in the video hold any water then it leaves to be speculated whether the al Qaeda affiliates plan to `look eastwards` towards Kashmir.
Another noteworthy fact is that the Pakistani Taliban operates closely with al Qaeda, which has senior commanders deployed in the tribal areas of Pakistan, as well as the Afghan Taliban, who provide their Pakistani comrades with funding and logistical support.
Under the leadership of Egyptian-born militant Ayman al-Zawahiri, who took over the reins after Osama bin Laden`s death in May 2011, the al Qaeda has time-and-again tried to mobilise support in Pakistan, India and Bangladesh.
The video that reportedly mentions Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq, Algeria among other countries of Islamic extremism to make a case for militancy in the northern reaches of India will definitely make the authorities sit up take notice of the clear and present dangers threatening Kashmir.
