New Delhi: The propaganda video from the al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri announcing the launch of its Indian branch, “Qaedat al-Jihad” that he said would spread Isla-mic rule and “raise the flag of jihad” across the subcontinent is reportedly instigated by Pakistan's Inter Services Intelligence (ISI).
According to sources, ISI nudged al-Qaeda terrorists to post the video.
It was also said that al-Qaeda received approval from ISI to post the video in which its chief Al Zawahiri was seen threatening India to open a new wing in India's sensitive states such as -- Assam, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
Indian intelligence agencies feel that the purpose of the video is to deflect world attention from the anti-government protests on its soil and to bring the focus back on Kashmir, which is scheduled to hold Assembly elections between October and December this year.
The intelligence agencies are also not ruling out the desperate attempts by the al-Qaeda to hold its grip on the global jihadist brand, which it has lost to the more virulent and barbaric Islamic State (IS).
The timing of the video is of interest to the intelligence agencies because it has been released soon after the release of the IS video showing the killing of the second US journalist Steven Sotloff.
In July last year “As Sahab” , Al Qaeda's propaganda arm had released a video “Why is There No Storm in Your Ocean” featuring Umar, in which he had called upon the Indian Muslims to participate in the global jihad against the US.
“Jihad does not limit itself to any specific region,” he had exhorted in the video.
The speech is peppered with references to the Mughal empire urging Indian Muslims to “restore” Islamic rule.
The implications against ISI could be based on the history of the organisation and its involvement with terror activities on Pakistani soil.
The ISI is said to have been conspiring with terror groups to plan attacks against India, with 26/11 mastermind David Headley having revealed four years ago that the organization had facilitated the Lashkar-e-Toiba in the attacks.
Two ISI officers were also reported to have guided the ten terrorists during their attack at several iconic centres in Mumbai.
Ajmal Kasab, the only surviving terrorist from the attack who was hanged last year, had also revealed ISI's role in the attack.
