Hizbul Mujahidin
Definition
Hizbul Mujahidin is a leading Pakistan-based Kashmiri Muslim separatist group advocating for freedom from Indian control of Kashmir.
Etymology
The term “Hizbul Mujahidin” (Arabic: حزب المجاهدين, Turkish: Mücahidin Hareketi) can be broken down into two parts: “Hizb” meaning “Party” and “Mujahidin” meaning “those who struggle” or “those engaged in jihad.”
Overview
Hizbul Mujahidin (HM) is one of the primary and most active groups involved in the separatist movement in the Jammu and Kashmir region. It was founded in 1990 by Ahsan Dar, also known as Abdul Majid Dar, and Mohammad Abdullah Bangroo. The group was initiated as an alternative to the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) and sought to bring Kashmir under the rule of Pakistan rather than opting for total independence.
Origins and Support
- Founding and Leadership: The organization was founded with direct assistance from Pakistan’s intelligence services and has received continuous political, diplomatic, moral, and military support from successive Pakistani governments. Its current leader is Sayyid Salahuddin.
- Training and Recruitment: Members of Hizbul Mujahidin have been recruited primarily from sectarian forces such as Sipah Sahabah Pakistan and trained in al-Qaeda camps based in Afghanistan. Unlike other jihadist and separatist groups, Hizbul Mujahidin’s ranks mainly comprise local natives rather than foreign recruits.
Comparative Groups
- Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT): Another prominent militant separatist group involved in Jammu and Kashmir, known for well-coordinated large-scale attacks.
- Harakat-ul-Mujahidin (HuM): An additional influential group in the region, similarly advocating for Kashmir’s liberation from Indian governance.
Further Readings
- Inside Al-Qaeda and the Taliban: Beyond bin Laden and 9/11 by Syed Saleem Shahzad
- The Meadow: Kashmir 1995 – Where the Terror Began by Adrian Levy and Cathy Scott-Clark
- Kashmir: Roots of Conflict, Paths to Peace by Sumantra Bose
Takeaways
- Local Roots: Something that distinguishes Hizbul Mujahidin from other separatist movements is its strong local presence and the involvement of native Kashmiris.
- Continued Conflict: The organization’s activities highlight the enduring and complex conflict in Kashmir, which remains a highly militarized and contentious region.
Conclusion
Hizbul Mujahidin remains a seminal force in the quest for Kashmiri liberation from India, drawing support and maintaining robust connectivity to Pakistani intelligence and military sectors. Understanding its historical and geopolitical contexts helps unpack the broader contours of the Kashmir conflict.
By understanding Hizbul Mujahidin’s history, affiliations, and ongoing activities, one gets a clearer picture of the myriad dynamics at play within the protracted Indo-Pak conflict over Kashmir. This snapshot is essential for any comprehensive study of the region’s contemporary sociopolitical landscape.
