Jump to content

Zakir Rashid Bhat: Difference between revisions

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
m Reverted edits by 210.3.160.226 (talk) to last version by Britishfinance
Added content, a lot of it.
Tags: Visual edit Mobile edit Mobile web edit
Line 39: Line 39:
==Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind==
==Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind==
{{Main article|Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind}}
{{Main article|Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind}}
Musa was announced as the head of the newly created terrorist organization and Al-Qaeda cell in Jammu and Kashmir called [[Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind]] by Al-Qaeda affiliated Global Islamic Media Front on 27 July 2017.<ref name=named>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/al-qaida-linked-cell-ansar-ghazwat-ul-hind-announces-zakir-musa-as-its-chief-in-kashmir/articleshow/59792567.cms|title=Al-Qaida-linked cell Ansar Ghazwat-Ul-Hind announces Zakir Musa as its chief in Kashmir|newspaper=Times of India|date=27 July 2017}}</ref> 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 set it up. Officials stated that the voice of the message matched those of the earlier audio clips by Musa, though the state's [[Director General of Police|DGP]] [[Shesh Paul Vaid|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 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 wasn't claimed.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/abu-dujana-first-martyr-in-war-for-islamic-kashmir-joined-al-qaeda-zakir-musa/story-ySsuQl70Kp6zvbswW2AjKL.html|title=Abu Dujana helped set up al Qaeda in India: Zakir Musa in purported statement|publisher=Hindustan Times|date=5 August 2017}}</ref>
Musa was announced as the head of the newly created militant organization and supposes Al-Qaeda cell in Jammu and Kashmir called [[Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind]] by Al-Qaeda affiliated Global Islamic Media Front on 27 July 2017.<ref name=named>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/al-qaida-linked-cell-ansar-ghazwat-ul-hind-announces-zakir-musa-as-its-chief-in-kashmir/articleshow/59792567.cms|title=Al-Qaida-linked cell Ansar Ghazwat-Ul-Hind announces Zakir Musa as its chief in Kashmir|newspaper=Times of India|date=27 July 2017}}</ref> 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 Ansar-Ghazwat-ul-Hind and helped set it up. Officials stated that the voice of the message matched those of the earlier audio clips by Musa, though the state's [[Director General of Police|DGP]] [[Shesh Paul Vaid|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 claimed to be the last message from Dujana and Arif during their encounter. Two voices claim allegiance to Ansar-Ghazwat-ul-Hind, however, no gunfire is heard and the authenticity of the clip wasn't claimed.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/abu-dujana-first-martyr-in-war-for-islamic-kashmir-joined-al-qaeda-zakir-musa/story-ySsuQl70Kp6zvbswW2AjKL.html|title=Abu Dujana helped set up al Qaeda in India: Zakir Musa in purported statement|publisher=Hindustan Times|date=5 August 2017}}</ref>


It was reported on 12 August 2017 that Musa and his aide evaded an Indian Army and JK Police operation with the locals, pelting security forces with stones in Noorpora village of Tral.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/zakir-musa-his-aide-give-slip-to-security-forces-in-noorpora-in-tralin-south-kashmir/articleshow/60026459.cms|title=J&K: Stone-pelters help cornered terrorist Zakir Musa flee|newspaper=Times of India|date=12 August 2017}}</ref> In an audio message released on 31 August 2017, Musa attacked [[Pakistan]] for "betraying Kashmir jihad." He also stated that the objective of Al-Qaeda's Kashmir cell was to clear it from the Pakistan government, army and their sponsored agents. He also threatened to "liberate India" from the Hindus.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2017/sep/01/al-qaeda-kashmir-head-slams-pakistan-for-betraying-kashmir-jehad-warns-india-1651189--2.html|title=Al Qaeda Kashmir head slams Pakistan for betraying Kashmir ‘jehad’, warns India|first=Fayaz|last=Wani|publisher=The New Indian Express|date=1 September 2017}}</ref> Hizbul put up posters in [[Sopore]] in September 2017, which held him responsible for helping Indian security forces kill Kashmiris, asking people to chase him to death and calling him an "Indian agent." <ref name=Blames>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/hizbul-blames-zakir-musa-for-helping-forces-kill-kashmiris/articleshow/60725318.cms|title=Hizbul blames Zakir Musa for ‘helping forces kill Kashmiris’|first=M. Saleem|last=Pandit|newspaper=Times of India|date=18 September 2017}}</ref>
It was reported on 12 August 2017 that Musa and his aide evaded an Indian Army and JK Police operation with the locals, pelting security forces with stones in Noorpora village of Tral.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/zakir-musa-his-aide-give-slip-to-security-forces-in-noorpora-in-tralin-south-kashmir/articleshow/60026459.cms|title=J&K: Stone-pelters help cornered terrorist Zakir Musa flee|newspaper=Times of India|date=12 August 2017}}</ref> In an audio message released on 31 August 2017, Musa attacked [[Pakistan]] for "betraying Kashmir jihad." He also stated that the objective of Ansar-Ghazwat-ul-Hind's Kashmir cell was to clear it from the Pakistan puppet government, and their sponsored agents. He also threatened to "liberate India" from the Hindus.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2017/sep/01/al-qaeda-kashmir-head-slams-pakistan-for-betraying-kashmir-jehad-warns-india-1651189--2.html|title=Al Qaeda Kashmir head slams Pakistan for betraying Kashmir ‘jehad’, warns India|first=Fayaz|last=Wani|publisher=The New Indian Express|date=1 September 2017}}</ref> Government agencies put up "Fake" Hizbul posters in [[Sopore]] in September 2017, which held him responsible for helping Indian security forces kill Kashmiris, asking people to chase him to death and calling him an "Indian agent." <ref name=Blames>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/hizbul-blames-zakir-musa-for-helping-forces-kill-kashmiris/articleshow/60725318.cms|title=Hizbul blames Zakir Musa for ‘helping forces kill Kashmiris’|first=M. Saleem|last=Pandit|newspaper=Times of India|date=18 September 2017}}</ref>
Hizbul Mujahideen later clarified that this indeed was done by "Government agencies and people working for the government" and that he had no part in this.
Hizbul Mujahideen chief [[Riyaz Naikoo]] published an audio clip and went on to say that they had no grudges with Ansar-Ghazwat-ul-Hind or it's chief Emir Zakir Musa, and that this was all done by government forces to sabotage the Kashmiri Freedom Struggle.


==Death==
==Death==
Musa was killed by Indian security forces in an [[Encounter killings by police|encounter]] which took place in Tral, South Kashmir on 23 May 2019.<ref name=Death>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-48392851|title=Zakir Musa: India's 'most wanted' militant killed in Kashmir|publisher=BBC News|date=24 May 2019}}</ref>
Musa was killed by Indian security forces in an [[Encounter killings by police|encounter]] which took place in Tral, South Kashmir on 23 May 2019.<ref name=Death>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-48392851|title=Zakir Musa: India's 'most wanted' militant killed in Kashmir|publisher=BBC News|date=24 May 2019}}</ref>
The encounter lasted for more than 12 hours starting just before dusk and ending at dawn. The encounter just proved how capable of a commander Emir Zakir Musa was. He was alone caught in an encounter with more than 200 army companies. Special elite commandos along with paratroopers were called in for additional help after Zakir musa gave a very tough initial fight.
Even when the elite special commandos couldn't get near the house in which Zakir Musa was hiding, government forces decided to use "Chloride gas" (The same chlorine gas used in various encounter to completely burn the militant body when they put up a resilient fight and don't let government forces to come near their place of hiding) and then razed the house to the ground by using Rocket launchers. Zakir Musa did survive the first chlorine attack by quickly hiding in an underground hideout in the basement, and thus was saved from the debris of the house too.
The government forces believed that Zakir Musa had again escaped.(Musa escaped from a similar encounter back in late-2018 where 6 of this top comrades and a deputy commander of Ansar-Ghazwat-ul-Hind were killed while they tried save Zakir Musa)
Zakir musa was killed only when Kashmiri officers in the government forces started chanting "MUSA MUSA ZAKIR MUSA" (Used to praise Zakir Musa), Musa trapped inside the underground hideout thought that the encounter had ended and the government forces had left and believed these are his own supportors. When he crepped out of his hideout and stood up, he was sprayed by hundreds of bullets.
The damage to Indian forces is unknown because the India government agencies don't publish those numbers though it is widely believed that a few Indian commanders and a few paratroopers were killed in the gunfight with several being injured.


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 20:12, 3 July 2019

Zakir Rashid Bhat
Founder and chief of
Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind
Former Commander of Hizbul Mujahideen
Preceded byBurhan Wani
Personal details
Born24 July 1994
Tral, Kashmir
DiedMay 23, 2019(2019-05-23) (aged 24)
Dadsara Village
ReligionIslam

Zakir Rashid Bhat (also known as Zakir Musa) was a former Hizbul Mujahideen commander, the slain Burhan Wani's successor, and founder and chief of a terrorist cell of Al-Qaeda called Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind.[1]

Musa joined the Sayeed Salahudeen's group Hizbul Mujahideen in 2013.[2] 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.[3][4][5] He was the former commander of Hizbul Mujahideen, a position previously held by Burhan Muzaffar Wani, until his death during an encounter with Indian security forces. Discontent over Wani's death led to the 2016 Kashmir Unrest.[6][4] He later threatened to behead the Hurriyat leaders for calling the Kashmir conflict a political one instead of a religious one to establish Islamic rule. He also warned them not to become a "thorn" in the imposition of Shariah. Hizbul Mujahideen disassociated itself from the statement a day after his threatening message. Musa, in response, quit the organization.[7]

He was killed in an encounter with the Indian Army at the Dadsar village in Pulwama.[8]

Early life

Zakir Rashid Bhat was born in Noorpora, Tral in South Kashmir. His father is Abdul Rashid Bhat, a senior engineer working with the state government.

He continued his studies at Noor Public School up to Class 10. He then went to the government higher secondary institution at Noorpora and passed his 12th in 2011.

He left Ram Devi Jindal Group of Professional Institutions, Chandigarh, in 2013. He joined the militant group Hizbul Mujahideen in the autumn of 2013 at the behest of his close friend, Idrees.[9][4]

Hizbul Mujahideen

Main article: Hizbul Mujahideen

The Hizbul Mujahideen had earlier named Mehmood Ghaznavi as Wani’s successor, but that is possibly an alias of Bhat.[10] He issued his first video in Kashmir in August 2016.[11][12][13][14] He is sometimes described as "part of a new generation of tech-savvy, well-educated militants" who became involved in the conflict after the 2010 Kashmir unrest.[15] He quit the group after it refused to back his statements supporting his argument that the struggle was for Islam and not political.[16][17][18]

Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind

Main article: Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind

Musa was announced as the head of the newly created militant organization and supposes Al-Qaeda cell in Jammu and Kashmir called Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind by Al-Qaeda affiliated Global Islamic Media Front on 27 July 2017.[4] 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 Ansar-Ghazwat-ul-Hind and helped set it up. 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 claimed to be the last message from Dujana and Arif during their encounter. Two voices claim allegiance to Ansar-Ghazwat-ul-Hind, however, no gunfire is heard and the authenticity of the clip wasn't claimed.[19]

It was reported on 12 August 2017 that Musa and his aide evaded an Indian Army and JK Police operation with the locals, pelting security forces with stones in Noorpora village of Tral.[20] In an audio message released on 31 August 2017, Musa attacked Pakistan for "betraying Kashmir jihad." He also stated that the objective of Ansar-Ghazwat-ul-Hind's Kashmir cell was to clear it from the Pakistan puppet government, and their sponsored agents. He also threatened to "liberate India" from the Hindus.[21] Government agencies put up "Fake" Hizbul posters in Sopore in September 2017, which held him responsible for helping Indian security forces kill Kashmiris, asking people to chase him to death and calling him an "Indian agent." [5] Hizbul Mujahideen later clarified that this indeed was done by "Government agencies and people working for the government" and that he had no part in this. Hizbul Mujahideen chief Riyaz Naikoo published an audio clip and went on to say that they had no grudges with Ansar-Ghazwat-ul-Hind or it's chief Emir Zakir Musa, and that this was all done by government forces to sabotage the Kashmiri Freedom Struggle.

Death

Musa was killed by Indian security forces in an encounter which took place in Tral, South Kashmir on 23 May 2019.[22] The encounter lasted for more than 12 hours starting just before dusk and ending at dawn. The encounter just proved how capable of a commander Emir Zakir Musa was. He was alone caught in an encounter with more than 200 army companies. Special elite commandos along with paratroopers were called in for additional help after Zakir musa gave a very tough initial fight. Even when the elite special commandos couldn't get near the house in which Zakir Musa was hiding, government forces decided to use "Chloride gas" (The same chlorine gas used in various encounter to completely burn the militant body when they put up a resilient fight and don't let government forces to come near their place of hiding) and then razed the house to the ground by using Rocket launchers. Zakir Musa did survive the first chlorine attack by quickly hiding in an underground hideout in the basement, and thus was saved from the debris of the house too. The government forces believed that Zakir Musa had again escaped.(Musa escaped from a similar encounter back in late-2018 where 6 of this top comrades and a deputy commander of Ansar-Ghazwat-ul-Hind were killed while they tried save Zakir Musa) Zakir musa was killed only when Kashmiri officers in the government forces started chanting "MUSA MUSA ZAKIR MUSA" (Used to praise Zakir Musa), Musa trapped inside the underground hideout thought that the encounter had ended and the government forces had left and believed these are his own supportors. When he crepped out of his hideout and stood up, he was sprayed by hundreds of bullets. The damage to Indian forces is unknown because the India government agencies don't publish those numbers though it is widely believed that a few Indian commanders and a few paratroopers were killed in the gunfight with several being injured.

References

  1. ^ "Army releases list of 12 most wanted militant in Kashmir Valley". Times of India. Retrieved 2 June 2017.
  2. ^ Aarti Tikoo Singh (14 May 2017). "From engineering dropout to militant: Story of Hizbul terrorist who quit outfit". Times of India. Retrieved 15 May 2017.
  3. ^ Simarjeet Kaur (28 July 2017). "Zakir Musa Will Lead New Outfit in Kashmir". Global Daily Tribune. Retrieved 4 August 2017.
  4. ^ a b c d "Al-Qaida-linked cell Ansar Ghazwat-Ul-Hind announces Zakir Musa as its chief in Kashmir". Times of India. 27 July 2017.
  5. ^ a b Pandit, M. Saleem (18 September 2017). "Hizbul blames Zakir Musa for 'helping forces kill Kashmiris'". Times of India.
  6. ^ Zee Media Bureau (1 April 2017). "Burhan Wani's successor, Zakir Musa, provoked attacks against J&K police, called stone-pelters soldiers of Islam". Zee News.
  7. ^ Zee Media Bureau (15 May 2017). "With Call For 'Islamic Rule', Zakir Musa May Have Signalled Ideological Split in Kashmir Militancy". The Wire (Indian web publication).
  8. ^ "Zakir Musa, Jammu and Kashmir's most wanted militant, killed in encounter: Police". Hindustan Times. 23 May 2019.
  9. ^ Aarti Tikoo Singh (14 May 2017). "From engineering dropout to militant: Story of Hizbul terrorist who quit outfit". The Times of India. Retrieved 14 May 2017.
  10. ^ Hizbul Mujahideen names its new Kashmir commander http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-hizbul-mujahideen-names-its-new-kashmir-commander-2233952
  11. ^ "Burhan Wani 'successor' posts video, seeks support of Kashmiris". 18 August 2016.
  12. ^ "Hizbul Mujahideen projects Zakir Rashid Bhat as mujahideen Burhan Wani's successor in Kashmir - News Nation". 18 August 2016.
  13. ^ "How different is Hizul Mujahideen's Zakir Rashid than his predecessor Burhan Wani ? - Latest News & Updates at Daily News & Analysis". 18 August 2016.
  14. ^ "Hizbul Mujahideen projects Zakir Rashid Bhat as Wani's successor". 18 August 2016.
  15. ^ "Kashmir's disturbing new reality - the young militants of Kashmir".
  16. ^ "Zakir Musa Quits Hizbul Mujahideen Day After Threatening To Kill Hurriyat Leaders". News 18.
  17. ^ "Local Militant Group Claims It Informed Police About Hizb Commander Sabzar Bhat's Whereabout". Outlook. 2 June 2017. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  18. ^ Kanwal, Rahul (30 May 2017). "Was Sabzar Bhatt betrayed by boss Zakir Musa? Intel inputs suggest rift among Kashmiri terrorists". Archived from the original on 3 June 2017. Radio and mobile chatter intercepted by India's intelligence agencies reflect a high level of distrust between former Hizbul commander Zakir Musa and the terror outfit he had led till recently. In the aftermath of the encounter killing of Burhan Wani's successor, Sabzar Bhatt, Indian agencies have recorded multiple conversations where the Hizbul Mujahideen cadre can be heard discussing whether Zakir Musa betrayed Sabzar Bhatt. Hizbul terrorists seem to suspect that a personal messenger close to Musa tipped off the Jammu and Kashmir police about the location of Sabzar's hideout. Sabzar was killed in an encounter close to his hometown of Tral.
  19. ^ "Abu Dujana helped set up al Qaeda in India: Zakir Musa in purported statement". Hindustan Times. 5 August 2017.
  20. ^ "J&K: Stone-pelters help cornered terrorist Zakir Musa flee". Times of India. 12 August 2017.
  21. ^ Wani, Fayaz (1 September 2017). "Al Qaeda Kashmir head slams Pakistan for betraying Kashmir 'jehad', warns India". The New Indian Express.
  22. ^ "Zakir Musa: India's 'most wanted' militant killed in Kashmir". BBC News. 24 May 2019.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Zakir_Rashid_Bhat&oldid=904684310"