Zakir Musa's call for Caliphate in Kashmir splits Hizbul Mujahideen

The call to establish a Caliphate in Kashmir by Zakir Musa, a former Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist, has triggered a split within the terror group, intelligence reports indicate. Inspired by ISIS, Musa has been trying to gather support in the name of the Sunni Jihadi group.

This has not gone down well with the United Jihad Council, an umbrella group of terrorist outfits controlled from Pakistan and operating in Kashmir, top intelligence sources told DNA.

Even the Kashmiri separatist leaders have expressed their displeasure on his functioning fearing that his ideology will turn the political movement into a religious one, say sources.

Musa had to quit Hizbul Mujahideen recently after he threatened to kill separatists. Hizbul Mujahideen made it clear that it does not agree with Musa's views.

Intelligence reports indicate that even after quitting, Musa has managed to get some support within Hizbul Mujahideen, and he along with a group of armed men is aggressively advocating the ISIS ideology.

There have been several instances of ISIS flag being displayed in Kashmir. "Initially it appeared to be some sort of mischief. But now a small group led by Musa is openly advocating the ISIS ideology," said a source in the security establishment.

Officials say terror outfits have been instructed to not get swayed away by the call for a Caliphate and continue with their movement for Kashmir.

After Hizbul Mujahideen Commander Burhan Wani was killed on July 8, 2016, Musa was the first choice to replace him. But his views on ISIS and Caliphate led to a divide and he was overlooked. This is when Sabzar Ahmed Bhat, who was killed by security forces on May 27, 2017, came into prominence.

Musa was an engineering student but joined Hizbul Mujahideen three years back.

Musa's allegiance to the ISIS ideology has put security agencies in a quandary. While there is a view that ideological differences within the terror organisations can be exploited, there is a fear of him attracting young men and women for setting up a Caliphate.

Sources say the lure for ISIS might not be the biggest threat in Kashmir but Kashmiri youth living outside the state have been under scanner for ISIS related activities.

However, security officials are playing down the ISIS attraction saying the real threat is from Pakistan. The growing radicalism in south Kashmir has alarmed security agencies.

Wani's killing in 2016 triggered months long unrest with frequent clashes between security forces and agitating mobs. There has been an increased local recruitment in the last few months. This coupled with an increase in infiltration attempts from Pakistani terrorists has been a big challenge for the security forces posted in Jammu and Kashmir.