Azhar forms group to wage 'jehad'

By Amit Baruah

ISLAMABAD, JAN. 28. Masood Azhar, the Pakistani cleric released in the terrorists-for-hostages deal by the BJP-led Government on December 31, has announced the formation of the Lashkar-i- Muhammadi (LiM), a new outfit, to wage ``jehad'' (holy war) against India.

A report in the Ausaf newspaper today quoted Azhar as telling a gathering of religious leaders here yesterday, that he would soon raise a force of six lakhs for the ``jehad'' in Kashmir. He called upon the other ``jehadi groups'' to unite under the new Lashkar.

He took exception to India's description of Kashmir as an ``atoot ang'' or integral part of India. ``Ham India ke ang, ang ko tor denge (we will break every part of India),'' Azhar was quoted as saying.

He claimed that the LiM would be run on the lines of the Taliban and called upon the ``ulema'' to nominate one ``mujahid'' to be the Amir-ul-Momineen or supreme leader, as in the case of the Taliban. If the ulema in Pakistan could not take a decision on this issue, a final verdict should be left to the Amir-ul- Momineen of Taliban, Mullah Mohammad Omar.

Expressing great pride in India's ``defeat'' at Kandahar, Azhar claimed that the Indian Home Minister, Mr. L.K. Advani, had said that during his lifetime, the Pakistani terrorist would not be released. But the Indian External Affairs Minister, Mr. Jaswant Singh, had to bring him in his own aircraft to Kandahar and hand him over to Mullah Omar and the Taliban leadership.

The announcement of the new ``jehadi'' outfit comes close on the heels of a statement by the Harkat-ul-Mujahideen chief, Fazlur Rehman Khalil, that Azhar had ``no links'' with the Harkat. He did, however, admit that Azhar had links with the Harkat earlier.

It appears as if the Harkat has become suspicious of Masood Azhar and his activities. Information available suggests that the Harkat had served a show-cause notice on Azhar soon after he surfaced in Pakistan after his release. Questions are being raised as to why Masood Azhar went to Kashmir on a Portugese passport, where he was arrested. An explanation had been sought by the Harkat on why Azhar had gone to Kashmir.

PTI reports:

Mr. Masood Azhar has threatened to "settle scores" with the RSS soon for the Babri Masjid demolition.

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