New Delhi: The Al-Qaeda in Indian Subcontinent (AQIS), the Indian wing of the militant outfit, has cautioned its fighters against harming innocent Muslims.
The advisory has come from AQIS head Asim Umar in a 26-minute-long audio message in Urdu. Produced by Sahab Media Foundation, the Bengali translation of the message was released on May 31 whereas the English version on June 1, a report in Economic Times said.
The audio message of AQIS, ‘Without Shariah, War is Mere Strife’ comes close on the heels of the Islamic State propaganda video, featuring six Indians, released on May 19.
In the message, Umar said that “targeting innocent Muslims as well women and children of the enemy, contradicts Islamic Shariah, and will prevent the fighter who perpetrates such an act from attaining the rewards of jihad.”
Umar, the head of AQIS, has been identified by security agencies as Sanaullah Haq from Sambhal in Uttar Pradesh. He is said to be based in the Afghanistan-Pakistan region. He was earlier named by Al-Qaida chief Ayman al-Zawahiri in a video message as the leader of the network's new operation which will try to rouse fighters in India, Bangladesh and Myanmar.
Umar appeared wearing a black turban and beard in several online videos produced by Al-Qaida and the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
Besides Umar’s message, the AQIS spokesman, Usama Mahmoud, can be heard condemning January 2016 attack at Bacha Khan University in Charsadda that killed 22 people and the December 2015 bombing at the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) office in Mardan.
Meanwhile, intelligence officials said that they are ascertaining the authenticity of the audio message.
Officials suspect that it could be the work of an agent of Pakistani spy agency ISI which has been providing logistical help to terror groups to carry out terror strikes on Indian soil.
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