The global terror network Al-Qaeda’s regional affiliate – Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) – has issued a threat statement declaring ‘Jihad fi Sabilillah’ against India.
AQIS’s invocation of ‘Jihad fi Sabilillah’ – “struggle in the path of God” – is part of a broader trend where extremist groups distort Islamic principles to justify violence. While in traditional Islamic theology the term refers to personal and spiritual effort, terror groups like Al-Qaeda and ISIS have abused it to legitimise armed conflict and terrorism.
“For all the Mujahideen of Islam and the Muslims of the Subcontinent, this war against India is Jihad Fi Sabilillah. It is a duty upon us to engage in this struggle to raise the Word of Allah, defend Islam and Muslims, and support the oppressed people of The Subcontinent…. It is now more necessary than ever for the Muslims of the Subcontinent to rise up in support of these stances and objectives,” AQIS said in a statement following the targeted bombing of terrorist locations in Pakistan and PoK on Wednesday
The AQIS has accused India of waging a long-running war against Islam and its the recent strikes are part of a broader pattern. The statement has further alleged that the airstrikes added another dark chapter to the long list of crimes committed by India for decades.
The Al-Qaeda network anger over Operation Sindoor is rooted in its long-standing ties with the targeted terror groups Lashkar-e-Taiba founder Hafiz Saeed, Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar and Hizbul Mujahideen.
The precision missile air strike on Pakistan to dismantle terror infrastructure has also disrupted the strategic network connecting the terror groups and underscores the blow dealt to AQIS regional ambitions and signals the broader impact on India’s counter-terrorism campaign.
