Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind


Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind is an Islamic separatist jihadi organization and Al-Qaeda cell that is active in the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The outfit was formerly led by Zakir Rashid Bhat. Jammu and Kashmir police said the group was completely "wiped out" of Kashmir in October 2019 but later media reports emerged of the group still being active.

Background

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.
On 7 December 2017 the group released a statement that condemned United States President Donald Trump's deceleration of moving the United States embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
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.
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.
In April 2018, the group published material that encouraged Muslims across India and Kashmir to carry out lone wolf attacks.
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.
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.
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.
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. The group's deputy chief Burhan Koka was killed in an encounter in Shopian's Melhora area on 29 April 2020 along with 2 other associates.
Jammu and Kashmir's Director General of Police, Dilbag Singh, claimed that the Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind has been "wiped out of Kashmir" on 23 October 2019.
However, four members of the group were shot dead in Shopian district's Melhora village during an encounter with Indian Army's 55 Rashtriya Rifles and the CRPF. Two over-ground workers of Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind had been captured in Pulwama district on 22 May.