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JeM's Pakistan bases: Fidayeen hub with Hamas links, NATO arms cache

Hindustan Times

08-05-2025

Politics
Hindustan Times

JeM's Pakistan bases: Fidayeen hub with Hamas links, NATO arms cache

The banned Jaish-e-Mohammed's terror group's two 'Markaz' (centres) – its Bahawalpur headquarters and Narowal in Pakistan's Punjab – functioned as a breeding ground for suicide attackers, had links with Palestine's Hamas and served as a facility for hoarding smuggled NATO arms from Afghanistan, officials said here on Thursday. Both these centres located on the opposite ends of Pakistan's Punjab province were among the nine targets hit by missiles launched by the Indian Air Force (IAF) in the early hours of Wednesday, in a strong retaliation to the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, in which 25 tourists and a local guide were gunned down by terrorists. According to the officials, the Bahawalpur centre of JeM, spread over 15 acres, is run by de-facto chief Abdul Rauf Asgar and the area has residential houses of JeM founder Masood Azhar and other family members. Masood Azhar acknowledged after the IAF strikes codenamed 'Operation Sindoor' that 10 members of his family and four close associates were killed in India's missile attack on the outfit's headquarters in Bahawalpur. A statement attributed to Azhar said those killed in the attack on Jamia Masjid Subhan Allah in Bahawalpur included the JeM chief's elder sister and her husband, a nephew and his wife, another niece, and five children from his extended family. The Bahawalpur centre is notorious for hoarding arms and ammunition left behind by the NATO forces in Afghanistan, the officials said. They said Bahawalpur is often frequented by JeM commanders who were fighting in Afghanistan, and that Asgar purchases as well as smuggles consignments of weaponry, including M4 series rifles, through a network of criminals based in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which was earlier known as North West Frontier Province (NWFP). Besides the M4 series, the arms and ammunition included sniper rifles, armour-piercing bullets, Night Vision Devices (NVD), and rifles fitted with NVD. About the centre in Narowal, the officials said the Markaz has been used for learning tactics from the Palestine Hamas group. The involvement of Hamas started in 2014 when one of the Jaish terrorists, Mohammed Adnan Ali, codenamed 'Doctor,' had imparted paraglider training to operatives of another group, Khalistan Tiger Force Ramandeep Singh alias Goldy, in Thailand. The training was given by Jagtar Singh Tara who was deported to India and his associates Jaswinder Singh Jassa and Mohammad Umar Gondal. The tactics for use of tunnels for infiltration and paragliding seem to be inspired by the modus operandi used by Hamas in the Middle East, the officials said, adding further that there are multiple inputs about regular interactions of JeM terrorists of JeM with Hamas leaders. Then, in February this year, senior Hamas functionaries addressed a rally on 'Kashmir Solidarity Day' in Rawalakot, PoK, that had top Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad cadres in attendance. The rally was addressed by Hamas spokesperson Khalid Qaddoumi, a development Indian agencies saw as an attempt to link the jihadi campaign in Jammu and Kashmir to the Palestinian fight in Kashmir. The Bahawalpur and Narowal facilities have produced terrorists responsible for multiple suicide attacks in India, including the 2016 strike at the Pathankot IAF base and the 2020 attack in Nagrota. Among those indoctrinated for these "fidayeen" (suicide) attacks were close relatives of Masood Azhar, specifically his nephew Tallah Rasheed, as well as Usman, Umar, and Mohammed Ismail, also known as 'Lambu'. After being indoctrinated at these facilities, the individuals were reportedly sent to Balakote for arms training.

What JeM's centres mean for Pakistan? Breeding ground for Fidayeen, links to Hamas, stockpiled NATO arms...

India.com

08-05-2025

Politics
India.com

What JeM's centres mean for Pakistan? Breeding ground for Fidayeen, links to Hamas, stockpiled NATO arms...

What JeM's centres meant for Pakistan? Breeding ground for Fidayeen, links to Hamas, stockpiled NATO arms... The banned Jaish-e-Mohammed's terror group's two 'Markaz' (centres) – its Bahawalpur headquarters and Narowal in Pakistan's Punjab – functioned as a breeding ground for suicide attackers, had links with Palestine's Hamas and served as a facility for hoarding smuggled NATO arms from Afghanistan, officials said here on Thursday. Both these centres located on the opposite ends of Pakistan's Punjab province were among the nine targets hit by missiles launched by the Indian Air Force (IAF) in the early hours of Wednesday, in a strong retaliation to the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, in which 25 tourists and a local guide were gunned down by terrorists. According to the officials, the Bahawalpur centre of JeM, spread over 15 acres, is run by de-facto chief Abdul Rauf Asgar and the area has residential houses of JeM founder Masood Azhar and other family members. Masood Azhar acknowledged after the IAF strikes codenamed 'Operation Sindoor' that 10 members of his family and four close associates were killed in India's missile attack on the outfit's headquarters in Bahawalpur. A statement attributed to Azhar said those killed in the attack on Jamia Masjid Subhan Allah in Bahawalpur included the JeM chief's elder sister and her husband, a nephew and his wife, another niece, and five children from his extended family. The Bahawalpur centre is notorious for hoarding arms and ammunition left behind by the NATO forces in Afghanistan, the officials said. They said Bahawalpur is often frequented by JeM commanders who were fighting in Afghanistan, and that Asgar purchases as well as smuggles consignments of weaponry, including M4 series rifles, through a network of criminals based in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which was earlier known as North West Frontier Province (NWFP). Besides the M4 series, the arms and ammunition included sniper rifles, armour-piercing bullets, Night Vision Devices (NVD), and rifles fitted with NVD. About the centre in Narowal, the officials said the Markaz has been used for learning tactics from the Palestine Hamas group. The involvement of Hamas started in 2014 when one of the Jaish terrorists, Mohammed Adnan Ali, codenamed 'Doctor,' had imparted paraglider training to operatives of another group, Khalistan Tiger Force Ramandeep Singh alias Goldy, in Thailand. The training was given by Jagtar Singh Tara who was deported to India and his associates Jaswinder Singh Jassa and Mohammad Umar Gondal. The tactics for use of tunnels for infiltration and paragliding seem to be inspired by the modus operandi used by Hamas in the Middle East, the officials said, adding further that there are multiple inputs about regular interactions of JeM terrorists of JeM with Hamas leaders. Then, in February this year, senior Hamas functionaries addressed a rally on 'Kashmir Solidarity Day' in Rawalakot, PoK, that had top Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad cadres in attendance. The rally was addressed by Hamas spokesperson Khalid Qaddoumi, a development Indian agencies saw as an attempt to link the jihadi campaign in Jammu and Kashmir to the Palestinian fight in Kashmir. The Bahawalpur and Narowal facilities have produced terrorists responsible for multiple suicide attacks in India, including the 2016 strike at the Pathankot IAF base and the 2020 attack in Nagrota. Among those indoctrinated for these 'fidayeen' (suicide) attacks were close relatives of Masood Azhar, specifically his nephew Tallah Rasheed, as well as Usman, Umar, and Mohammed Ismail, also known as 'Lambu'. After being indoctrinated at these facilities, the individuals were reportedly sent to Balakote for arms training.

Heft? History? What Pak's Real Motive Behind Pahalgam Attack Could Be

NDTV

28-04-2025

Politics
NDTV

Heft? History? What Pak's Real Motive Behind Pahalgam Attack Could Be

There is now an overdose of advice on what India should do against Pakistan. Social media wants everything, from air strikes to full war, dismemberment, and even assassinations. The fury is intense and unsurprising. This was an attack very much like the one Hamas perpetrated on innocent civilians in Israel on October 7, 2023. The intention is still unclear, but what that attack did was destroy a budding rapprochement between Israel and its neighbours, particularly the Saudis. It is time now to assess why Pakistan launched the attack in Kashmir, and with what objective. The attack may be similar to what happened in Israel, but the histories are entirely different. And so, logically, the reactions should be. Hamas And Lashkar The Hamas link is now common knowledge. None other than the Israeli ambassador Reuven Azar has pointed to the similarities of the attack, and the fact that the Hamas was welcomed in a public rally on what Pakistan calls 'Kashmir Solidarity Day' on February 5 - something at least three Hamas leaders went to in posh SUVs, together with Jaish leaders, including UN-designated terrorist Masood Azhar. That in itself is an offence in international law by Pakistan. Also, reports now say several visits were made by Hamas teams, including one to the Bahawalpur base of Jaish, and another to a newly inaugurated Pakistan army camp. That's not so outrageous as it sounds. Not only has Pakistan been witness to repeated massive rallies on the Gaza issue, but the country's lawmakers even supported the Hamas attack as it put an end to India-US plans for the Middle East Trade Corridor. On April 24, Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) leader Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman called for an office for Hamas in the country and demanded action on Gaza and Kashmir. He was joined by other religious groups as well. The Jamaat has long been collecting money for Palestine through its 'Al Khidmat' arm, and the front has already mobilised some $543 million in aid for Hamas. This when Pakistan once again goes begging to China to reschedule a $3.4 billion loan. One would assume that the country would hesitate to antagonise the US, especially under President Donald Trump. But all of this is being done with state support. And that's the thing about Pakistan. There is seldom any logic to its actions: broke in the bank, but still bent on trouble. It is hardly ever deterred by an economic crisis. That was true even during the Kargil war, when Pakistan's economy was reeling under sanctions after the nuclear tests. And again, when a full-fledged war was threatened by the use of Indian air power, it went running to the US to stop India. This time around, it rushed to the UAE asking it to mediate, and has offered to be part of a 'neutral and transparent' investigation. This pattern is quite different from that of the Israel-Gaza wars, where both showed a certain grim logic. Pak Army Is A Mess Look at the present situation. Never in its history has the Pakistan army faced such travails. Imran Khan's allegations and his subsequent imprisonment, the arrest of an Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief and his subsequent court martial, the detention of senior officers, including of a Lieutenant-General and the families of senior officers, have all dented the army's image beyond imagination. Don't forget this either: late last year, Asim Munir gave himself (and other service chiefs) an extension of tenure of five years, which means he 'retires' in 2027 instead of 2025. That could not but have ended some promising careers in the top ranks. On another level, that the Generals were running the country - and badly - was more than evident not only in Pakistan's continuous economic woes, food shortages and its power crisis, but also in a hefty 66% rise in insurgent violence over 2023, the worst in a decade. Security forces were being killed on a daily basis. The Jaffar Express incident, which got international attention, probably put the lid on it. That the Baloch insurgency has been going on for 70 years now has been forgotten. Ever the victim, Pakistan's reaction, consistent as it is, has been to blame India. Given all these factors, it seemed, therefore, that a reaction from Rawalpindi was inevitable. The army needed the heft and someone to blame. Warning Signs The warning signs were thus in the following order. In February, the media quoted sources to say that some 80-100 foreign terrorists were assembled at launch pads. Noted analyst Ayesha Siddiqa observed the same trends and warned that 'militancy is coming back to Kashmir', further quoting sources to say that militancy would be back after winters, but 'at a lower scale'. Then there was the Hamas link, followed by the mystery of Asim Munir's public rant against India, declaring that Balochistan would never break away from Pakistan, that Kashmir was Pakistan's 'jugular vein', and the pushing of the two-nation theory to its limits. This was directed towards a bunch of overseas Pakistanis who roared in approval. But at the time, this author felt that added up, all this warned of impending trouble. Does this mean that intel failed? No, because intel is granular, and it is about time and place. There was nothing to indicate that an entirely peaceful Pahalgam area would be targeted during tourist season, something Kashmiris know is the time to make their incomes, with schools closing (first in the South) and the start of the Amarnath yatra preparations and all the paraphernalia that comes with it. It was literally stocking up for prosperity. In that background, there was no indication that terrorists would be given any space at all (as of now, it does seem that they were not). The two locals who were part of the group had left Kashmir years ago. There would have been local 'overground workers', since money, something terrorists have a lot of, always talks. And here's the key: tourism cannot grow alongside hundreds of troops deployed on the ground. Picnics and dancing don't sit comfortably with armed soldiers. Don't Give Pakistan What It Wants So, the solution may be to work against what Pakistan wants. That is, support the Kashmiris to the maximum, by ensuring not just that tourism doesn't suffer, but also that it is boosted with special packages and subsidies, among other things. This, however, has to be preceded by strong vigilance - perhaps something like China's 'Safe City' project, which employs facial recognition systems and extensive surveillance. Israel is a master at this. Counter-terrorism strategies also have to build on the rage inside Kashmir. In other words, locals should be allowed to have a say in both the 'punishment' and the solutions. Let them guide the narrative. Then, there should be a public declaration that India stands one and united in the face of terrorism, regardless of religion. This was a pan-India attack, with its victims being from 14 different states. The response, too, has to be pan-India. Let the Indian flag fly.

Hamas, Pak trying to link J&K terrorism to fight against Israel

Time of India

23-04-2025

Politics
Time of India

Hamas, Pak trying to link J&K terrorism to fight against Israel

Soldiers return after searches around Baisaran meadow on Wednesday NEW DELHI: With parallels being drawn between the terrorist attack at the picnic spot in Pahalgam and the Oct 7 attack carried out by the terror outfit Hamas in Israel, intelligence sources have pointed to multiple visits by senior Hamas functionaries to Pakistan over the past year. A Hamas team recently visited Jaish-e-Muhammed's headquarters in Bahawalpur besides a Pakistani Army facility, which houses their combat simulation centre, inaugurated by Army chief Asim Munir last month. The area hosts the Bahawalpur Corps, a Pakistani military formation tasked with border defence and rapid deployment due to its strategic proximity to Rajasthan. In Feb, top Lashkar-e-Taiba and JeM cadres gathered in Rawalakote, PoK, on ' Kashmir Solidarity Day ' for a speech by senior Hamas functionaries, sources said. The gathering, organized under the banner of Al Aqsa Floods — a reference to the mosque in Jerusalem, which is claimed by both Jews and Muslims and has long been an inflammable point of discord — was addressed by Hamas spokesperson Khalid Qaddoumi. Agencies here viewed the event as an attempt to link their jihadi campaign in J&K with the Palestinian fight against Israel, framing both as a 'resistance against occupation'. There have been clear indications of Hamas's increased presence in Pakistan in the last one year, especially after its Oct 7 terror attack on Israel in 2023. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Google Brain Co-Founder Andrew Ng, Recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Around Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo Last year in Jan, Qaddoumi was invited to address Pakistan Parliament. Significantly, welcoming Qaddoumi, a Pakistani lawmaker had claimed that India and Israel had planned an economic corridor — the Indian Middle East Eurpean Corridor — aimed at countering the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). 'That plan is now buried under the rubble of Gaza,' he gloated. Hamas leaders' visit to Pakistan came soon after Ismail Haniyeh, the then chief of Hamas, had sought help from Pakistan in their fight against Israel. When Haniyeh was assassinated on July 31, 2024, in Tehran, prompting Pakistan to declare a national day of mourning. 'Hamas leaders also held an 'al-Aqsa million march' in Karachi last year. Qaddoumi referred to Pakistan as an 'elder brother' in gratitude to Islamabad for agreeing to host 15 Palestinian prisoners freed under a ceasefire deal reached between Israel and Hamas,' a source recalled.

Memri

19-02-2025

Politics
Memri

Pakistan Army Chief Gen. Asim Munir Warns India: 'Three Wars Have Been Fought For Kashmir, And If Ten More Need To Be Fought, We Will Fight'; 'Allah's Group [Of Fighters] Will Always Prevail Based On Faith, Piety, And Jihad In The Way Of Allah'

In connection with Kashmir Solidarity Day – which Pakistan commemorates on February 5 every year to express its support for Kashmiris living in Indian-controlled Jammu & Kashmir – Pakistan Army Chief Gen. Syed Asim Munir spoke at events in Pakistan and Pakistan-controlled Azad Kashmir. Pakistan Army Chief Gen. Asim Munir (third from left) at an event in Muzaffarabad Speaking at events in Muzaffarabad, the capital of Azad Kashmir, Gen. Asim Munir reiterated a statement of Pakistan's founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah, saying that " Kashmir is the jugular vein of Pakistan." [1] The army chief stated: "Cutting the jugular vein off the body means the end of life. Muslims are never impressed by the number of enemies or weapons. Allah's group [of Muslim fighters] will always prevail based on faith, piety, and jihad in the way of Allah." [2] According to a report in the Urdu daily Roznama Mashriq, Gen. Asim Munir said: "The flame of freedom has been passed down from one generation of Kashmiris to the next. If we remain united and strong, we can overcome every challenge. Allah almighty has blessed the land of Kashmir with natural beauty and resources." [3] In a direct warning to India, the Pakistan army chief, addressing Kashmiri elders and former army personnel in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir, said: " Today, tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, or in the near future, you may commit atrocities in occupied Kashmir, but this will not go on forever. The decision of Kashmir must be made by the people of Kashmir, not by any occupying force in Kashmir. Three wars have been fought for Kashmir, and if ten more need to be fought, we will fight, Allah willing." [4] The Pakistan army chief laid a wreath at the martyrs' memorial in Muzaffarabad. Speaking on the occasion, Gen. Asim Munir vowed to free Kashmir. "One day, it will surely be free," he said, adding that "Pakistan army will defend the nation's sovereignty and territorial integrity with complete determination and steadfastness" and "any aggression would be responded to with full force." [5] Reiterating that maintaining "a high level of combat preparedness is essential to counter any actions by the enemy," Gen. Asim Munir praised "the unwavering dedication, professional excellence, and combat readiness of the officers and soldiers deployed in the challenging operational conditions in Kashmir." [6] "Indian atrocities [in Kashmir] and the rising Hindutva extremism [targeting Muslims in India] further strengthen the Kashmiri people's struggle for self-determination. Pakistan will always stand with the people of Kashmir in their legitimate and rightful cause against state oppression and tyranny. And surely, one day, Kashmir will be free and, according to the independent will and destiny of its people, will become a part of Pakistan," the army chief said. "Kashmir will become Pakistan. The bond between Kashmir and Pakistan is inseparable. Kashmir was, and will always remain, a part of Pakistan," he said, adding: "The flame of freedom has been passed down from one generation of Kashmiris to the next. If we remain united and strong, we can overcome every challenge. Allah almighty has blessed the land of Kashmir with natural beauty and resources." [7] Gen. Asim Munir (inset) addresses Pakistan Army's Corps Commanders Conference According to Roznama Mashriq, the Kashmiri dignitaries who listened to the Pakistan army chief's speech, said: "If it were not for the Pakistan army, our situation would have been worse than Palestine. The bond between the Pakistan army and the Kashmiri people is unbreakable." [8] On February 4, a day before the Kashmir Solidarity Day, Gen. Asim Munir also addressed the 267th Corps Commanders Conference in Rawalpindi. According to a Pakistani newspaper, the Corps Commanders "took a serious note of the recent reckless and provocative statements of the Indian military leadership" and "strongly condemned continued blatant human rights violations in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), recognizing them as a grave threat to regional peace and stability." [9] Addressing the Corps Commanders, Gen. Asim Munir warned India against any "misadventure," stating: "The army remains fully prepared to defend the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity and any misadventure against Pakistan will be answered with the full and resolute force of the state, InshaAllah [Allah willing]." [10] [1] February 5, 2025. [2] February 5, 2025. [3] February 5, 2025. [4] February 5, 2025. [5] February 5, 2025. [6] February 5, 2025. [7] February 5, 2025. [8] February 5, 2025. [9] The News (Pakistan), February 5, 2025. [10] The News (Pakistan), February 5, 2025.