 "Al-Qaeda defends Pakistan's terror campaign, parrots Asim Munir's narrative")
In line with Pakistan’s inflammatory religious rhetoric, Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) on Wednesday (May 7) issued a statement condemning Operation Sindoor and called for a renewed jihad across the subcontinent.
The terrorist group also called on the Muslims of the subcontinent to “rise up in support of oppressed people”. It alleged that the ‘Bhagwa’ government of PM Narendra Modi was “waging a multifaceted campaign to eliminate Islam.”
“For all the Mujahideen of Islam and the Muslims of the Subcontinent, this war against India is Jihad Fi Sabilillah. It is a duty upon us to engage in this struggle to raise the Word of Allah, defend Islam and Muslims, and support the oppressed people of The Subcontinent…. It is now more necessary than ever for the Muslims of the Subcontinent to rise up in support of these stances and objectives,” the AQIS said in a statement.
The statement comes after India launched ‘Operation Sindoor’ against terror camps in Pakistan following the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, which resulted in the deaths of 26 mostly Hindu tourists.
This operation, named “Operation Sindoor,” targeted and successfully destroyed nine terrorist camps. Reports indicate that over 100 trained terrorists were killed, significantly disrupting the core of the jihadist networks that are supported by Pakistan.
Among the sites targeted was Markaz Taiba , often described as the ideological and operational nerve centre of Lashkar-e-Taiba. The facility was also partly funded by Osama bin Laden, who reportedly donated Rs 10 million to build a mosque and guest house within the complex.
Inflammatory rhetoric aligns with Pakistan state’s narrative
The inflammatory rhetoric pushed by the AQIS aligns with Pakistan’s official narrative against India, often targeting Hindus and their tradition.
Engulfed in a military crisis with India, an isolated Pakistan is now relying on religious rhetoric to gather support domestically as well as among the Islamic world.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsAhead of the Pahalgam attack, Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir had fuelled the debate around the two-nation theory in a speech.
In his speech, Munir stated that Pakistanis are “fundamentally different from Hindus in religion, culture, traditions, thoughts, and ambitions.”
“You have to narrate Pakistan’s story to your children so that they don’t forget it when our forefathers thought we were different from Hindus in every possible aspect of life,” Munir said.
Not just the army chief but a similar rhetoric has also been fuelled by Pakistani politicians. Recently, Pakistani Senator Palwasha Mohammad Zai Khan declared the “first brick of the new mosque” in Ayodhya “will be laid by Pakistani soldiers”. Ayodhya is where India inaugurated a grand Ram temple last year.
“The first brick of the new Babri mosque in Ayodhya will be laid by Pakistan Army soldiers, and the first azaan will be given by Army Chief Asim Munir himself,” said the senator.
Her comments drew a massive backlash from users on social media.
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
