| Jaish-e-Mohammed | |
|---|---|
| [[File:|200px]] | |
| Dates of operation | March 2000-present |
| Leader | Maulana Masood Azhar |
| Active region(s) | Pakistan, Pakistan-controlled Kashmir, India-controlled Jammu and Kashmir |
| Status | Designated as a Pakistani-based, terrorist organization by the United States pursuant to E.O. 13224 and by the UN 1267 Committee.[1] |
Jaish-e-Mohammed (Urdu: جيش محمد, literally The Army of Mohammad, transliterated as Jaish-e-Muhammed, Jaish-e-Mohammad or Jaish-e-Muhammad, often abbreviated as JeM) is a Pakistani-based, militant Islamic group established by Maulana Masood Azhar in March 2000. JeM aims to end Indian rule in disputed Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), expel Indian security forces from the region, and unite J&K with Pakistan.[2] Most Jaish-e-Mohammed attacks have been described as fidayeen (suicide terrorist) attacks. In October 2001, JeM was designated as a Pakistani-based, terrorist organization by the United States pursuant to E.O. 13224 and by the UN 1267 Committee.[1] The outfit has been banned by the Indian government under provisions of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) on October 25, 2001. Former US Secretary of State, Colin Powell, in a notification on December 26, 2001, designated the outfit as a foreign terrorist organization.[1] The United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada have also designated JeM as a FTO.[3] In 2002, the Pakistani government outlawed the terrorist group and the organization subsequently broke into two factions; the Jamaat ul-Furquan group and the Khuddam ul-Islam section. Both of these smaller groups were banned in late 2003. JeM has also declared open war against the United States in removing coalition forces from Afghanistan.[2]
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The outfit was launched on January 31, 2000, by Maulana Masood Azhar in Karachi after he was released from an Indian jail during the terrorists for hostage swap of December 31, 1999, following the hijacking of the Indian Airlines Flight IC 814.[1] The formation of the outfit was endorsed by three religious school chiefs, Mufti Nizamuddin Shamzai of the Majlis-e-Tawan-e-Islami (MT), Maulana Mufti Rashid Ahmed of the Dar-ul Ifta-e-wal-Irshad and Maulana Sher Ali of the Sheikh-ul-Hadith Dar-ul Haqqania.[1] The outfit's creation can be linked to the popularity surrounding Masood Azhar after his release from India. Maulana Masood Azhar was the general secretary of the newly established Harkat-ul-Ansar (HuA) in 1994 and was on a 'mission' in J&K when he was arrested on February 11. When he was released, the HuA had been included in the US list of Foreign Terrorist Organisations which had compelled the outfit to rename itself as the Harkat-ul-Mujahideen (HuM). However, Masood Azhar decided to float the new outfit JeM rather than rejoin his old outfit.[1] Within weeks of his release from prison, Mullah Masood was recruiting new members for his organization at a series of public rallies in Pakistan.[4] He was also reported to have received assistance in setting up the JeM from Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), the then Taliban regime in Afghanistan, Osama bin Laden and several Sunni sectarian outfits of Pakistan outlawed JeM in 2002. By 2003, JeM had splintered into Khuddam ul-Islam (KUI), headed by Azhar, and Jamaat ul-Furqan (JUF), led by Abdul Jabbar, who was released from Pakistani custody in August 2004. Pakistan banned KUI and JUF in November 2003.[5] JEM continued to operate openly in parts of Pakistan despite President Musharrafs 2002 ban on its activities. The group was well-funded, and was said to have tens of thousands of followers who supported attacks against India targets, the Pakistani government, and sectarian minorities.[5]
There are no reports of any formal governing bodies or councils within the outfit. Unconfirmed reports indicate that the prominent office bearers of the organization include:
JEM is organized along military and missionary lines. A chief commander in Kashmir has primary responsibility for military activities in the group's chief area of operations whereas every district has a commander responsible for local activities. In addition, the group has a number of different departments responsible for certain spheres of influence[2].
Azhar was arrested by Pakistani security forces on December 29, 2001, after pressure from India and other foreign countries following the December 13, 2001 attack on India's parliament. However, a three-member Review Board of Lahore High Court ordered on December 14, 2002, that Azhar be released. His release came following.[1] Pakistani police detained Azhar after the 2003 assassination attempts against then-President Pervez Musharraf, but freed him months later. And in December 2008, in the wake of the Mumbai terror assault, Pakistan placed Azhar under house arrest (the government later denied this, it is thought he was placed under house arrest then quietly freed). He is since thought to have fled to South Waziristan and may now be based in North Waziristan along with many of his followers.[6]
Azhar established the Al Rehmat Trust, which became the designated front for JeM operations following the organization being banned from Pakistan in 2002.[7] Al Rehmat Trust provided support for militant activities in Afghanistan and Pakistan, including financial and logistical support to foreign fighters operating in both countries. Al Rehmat Trust has been involved in fundraising for JeM, including for militant training and indoctrination at its mosques and madrassas.[7] As of early 2009, Al Rehmat Trust had initiated a donation program in Pakistan to help support families of militants who had been arrested or killed. In early 2007, Al Rehmat Trust was raising funds on behalf of Khudam-ul Islam, an alias for JEM. Al Rehmat has also provided financial support and other services to the Taliban, including wounded Taliban fighters from Afghanistan.[7] Al Rehmat Trust claims to support relief efforts for suffering victims of natural or other kinds of disaster to inhabitants of Pakistan and State of Kashmir, and to provide international aid to those in need, both financial and practical terms. [8] Additional organizations that have provided past funding include the Al-Rashid Trust, the Al-Akhtar Trust, Al Qaeda, Harakat ul-Jihad-i-Islami/Bangladesh (HuJI-B)and the Harkat ul-Mujahideen (HuM). Reports suggest that as much as $3 million a year still flows from Britain into the coffers of the JEM.[2]
In anticipation of asset seizures by the Pakistani Government, the JEM withdrew funds from bank accounts and invested in legal businesses, such as commodity trading, real estate, and public relations.[3] On November 4, 2010 the U.S. Department of the Treasury targeted the financial and support networks of Pakistan-based terrorist organizations Lashkar-e Tayyiba (LET) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JEM).[7] Sanctions were place on Azhar's Al Rehmat Trust. The November 4 actions, taken pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13224, prohibits U.S. persons from engaging in any transactions with these individuals and entity and freezes any assets the designees have under U.S. jurisdiction.[7]
JeMs violent mission is recognized for two key dynamics: first, the tripartite struggle locally in Indian-controlled Kashmir, against India itself (to 'reclaim' it as 'Muslim territory' that was once part of the 'Caliphate'), and planet wide to establish God's justice and truth everywhere; second, the need to discipline Muslims 'internally' while fighting unbelief 'externally'.[9] Azhar has outwardly spoken about JEM ideology and objectives, stating,
"It is to express to the unbelievers that all Muslims are like one body, so to touch or cause harm to any part of the body is like challenging the whole body. Similarly to lift the hand against a Muslim's life, wealth or honour is similar to challenging the whole nation of the Muslims."[9]
As a first, JeM would seek to force a withdrawal of Indian security forces from Jammu and Kashmir. JeM claims that each of its offices in Pakistan would serve as schools of jihad. Delivering speeches at various cities and towns in Pakistan after his release, Masood Azhar threatened that the outfit would eliminate Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, whom he termed 'Abu Jahl' (Father of Ignorance).[1] In its fight against India, Azhar added that the outfit would not only "liberate" Kashmir, but also take control of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya, Amritsar and Delhi.[3] JEM attacks are aimed at gaining publicity and at linking the jihad in Kashmir with the global Salafi jihad.[2]
Most Jaish-e-Mohammed attacks have been described as fidayeen (suicide terrorist) attacks. In this mode, terrorists of the outfit storm a high security target, including security forces' bases, camps and convoys. After storming, they either fortify themselves within the target, killing as many security force personnel and civilians as possible before they are killed by retaliatory action. In other cases, they kill and injure as many as possible before attempting to escape.[2] Used in their attacks are a variety of Kalashnikovs and other assault rifles, machine guns, rocket propelled grenades (Katyusha, 122mm BM-21), landmines, mortars, surface-to-air missiles (SA7 Grail, FIM-92A Stinger), and improvised explosive devices (IEDs).[2] JeM's immediate tactical aims are two-fold; produce as many casualties and as much publicity as possible. Outside disapproval from the populace with regards to the civilian casualties has not affected JeM's approach. As of 2008, JeM members have increased attacks targeting Western forces and interests in Pakistan and Afghanistan, especially if they are linked to the war in Afghanistan.[2]
The JeM is based in Pakistan and Pakistan-controlled Kashmir. Most of its supporters are in Azad, Kashmir, Pakistan and India's southern Kashmir and Doda regions. The JeM primarily launches attacks in Indian-controlled J&K, where they have largely confined their operations.[10] The only recorded instance of its operations outside J&K has been the December 13, 2001, Parliament attack in New Delhi. However, several of its cadre has, on occasions been arrested or killed by security forces in states other than J&K.[1]
JEM pays visits to school assemblies and classrooms where lectures on jihad are given. Visits are also made to mosques and the offices of political parties to recruit new members. Many former Harakat ul-Mujahideen (HuM) members left their group to join the JeM militants.[2] Azhar and Jaish-e-Mohammed have been openly recruiting Pakistanis to fight in Afghanistan, according to the US Treasury. "In 2008, JeM recruitment posters in Pakistan contained a call from Azhar for volunteers to join the fight in Afghanistan against Western forces," Treasury stated.[6]
The outfit is closely linked, through the Binoria Madrassah in Karachi, with the former Taliban regime of Afghanistan and its Portege, late-Osama bin Laden and his Al-Qaeda. JeM chief, Masood Azhar was released by Indian authorities in Kandahar and has reportedly met Taliban and Al Qaeda leaders in Afghanistan on various occasions. JeM is also reported to have links with Sunni terrorist outfits operating in Pakistan such as the Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan (SSP) and Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ).[1]
JeM continued to operate openly in parts of Pakistan despite President Musharrafs 2002 ban on its activities. The group was well-funded, and was said to have tens of thousands of followers who supported attacks against Indian targets, the Pakistani government, and sectarian minorities. Since Masood Azhar's 2000 release from Indian custody in exchange for 155 hijacked Indian Airlines hostages, JeM has conducted many fatal terrorist attacks in the area. JeM continued to claim responsibility for several suicide car bombings in Kashmir, including an October 2001 suicide attack on the Jammu and Kashmir legislative assembly building in Srinagar that killed more than 30 people. The Indian government has publicly implicated the JeM, along with Lashkar e-Tayyiba (LeT), for the December 2001 attack on the Indian Parliament that killed nine and injured 18. Pakistani authorities suspect that JeM members may have been involved in the 2002 anti-Christian attacks in Islamabad, Multee, and Taxila that killed two Americans. In December 2003, Pakistan implicated elements of JEM in the two assassination attempts against President Musharraf. In July 2004, Pakistani authorities arrested a JeM member wanted in connection with the 2002 abduction and murder of U.S. journalist Daniel Pearl. In 2006, JeM claimed responsibility for a number of attacks, including the killing of several Indian police officials in the Indian-administered Kashmir capital of Srinagar.[5] JeM has been included in a July 2010, U.S.-based report that details growing cooperation among LeT and Al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups like the Afghan Taliban, Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP), and Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami (HuJI). The cooperation of these groups poses a growing threat to the US and the Western world.[1]
--Pcampion715 (talk) 22:44, 29 November 2011 (UTC)