Hizbul Mujahideen
Last Updated: October 2022
Hizbul Mujahideen is an Islamist group operating in Indian-controlled Kashmir aiming to separate the territory and merge it with Pakistan.
Overview
Established: September 1989
Leaders: Syed Salahuddin (1990 - present)
Muhammad Ahsan Dar (until 1991)
Active Regions: Indian-administered Kashmir, Pakistan, Pakistan-administered Kashmir, Afghanistan (until 1996)
Size: 1500+
Other Names: Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, Party of Holy Fighters, HM
Coalitions: United Jihad Council
Designated as Terrorist by: India, United States
Leaders: Syed Salahuddin (1990 - present)
Muhammad Ahsan Dar (until 1991)
Active Regions: Indian-administered Kashmir, Pakistan, Pakistan-administered Kashmir, Afghanistan (until 1996)
Size: 1500+
Other Names: Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, Party of Holy Fighters, HM
Coalitions: United Jihad Council
Designated as Terrorist by: India, United States
History
Hizbul Mujahideen was founded in September 1989 by Muhammad Ahsan Dar and Hilal Ahmed Mir, reportedly as the armed wing of Pakistan’s Jamaat-e-Islami movement. Since its establishment it has advocated and fought for the integration of Indian-administered Kashmir into Pakistan. In 1990, Mohammad Yusuf Shah alias Syed Salahuddin took command of the group. Salahuddin and his allies were close to Jamaat-e-Islami and were based in Pakistan, which would cause a rift in Hizbul Mujahideen early on.
When Hizbul Mujahideen began its armed campaign, the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) had been the main force leading the Kashmir insurgency against India. The JKLF had advocated for the complete independence of Kashmir from both India and Pakistan, but had concentrated its efforts on Indian-administered Kashmir. Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence had backed the JKLF in the past, but was concerned with its pro-independence ideology as the ISI wished to push for Kashmir’s integration into Pakistan. With the ISI’s backing, Hizbul Mujahideen was formed to advocate for Kashmir’s Islamization and accession to Pakistan.
After taking command of the group, Syed Salahuddin was faced with internal opposition to his leadership, but a series of fortunate events would lead to the consolidation of his control over HM. First, in 1991, Muhammad Ahsan Dar was expelled from the group by supporters of Salahuddin. In 1993, Hilal Ahmed Mir was killed by security forces. At this point, Salahuddin’s main rivals within HM were eliminated.
Hizbul Mujahideen was instrumental in the formation of the United Jihad Council (UJC), a coalition of pro-Pakistan militant groups operating in Kashmir, in 1994. This alliance brought together around 14 Pakistan-backed Kashmiri militant groups under a unified banner and served as the voice of the insurgents. Salahuddin still remains the alliance’s head to this day. HM was also reported to have operated and trained in Afghanistan alongside Hezb-e-Islami Gulbuddin until 1996, when the Taliban seized control of the country.
Salahuddin at this point had consolidated his control over the group, but eventually found himself battling for control of HM yet again in 2000 when operational commander Abdul Majeed Dar declared a ceasefire. While Salahuddin’s camp initially supported the ceasefire, this was withdrawn shortly after under pressure from Pakistan and other Kashmiri militant groups. Rumors began circulating that Dar had been in contact with the Indian security forces, notably the Research & Analysis Wing. This would result in his expulsion from Hizbul Mujahideen in May 2002, along with two other commanders. On March 23, 2003, Dar was assassinated by unidentified gunmen, although it is likely connected to HM.
By the mid-to-late 2000s, HM became a sort of vanguard group for militancy in Kashmir, serving as the voice and promoter of the insurgency. While security operations had damaged its militant capability, it was still the leading guerrilla group in the region. As of recently, the group has been known for its prolific use of social media to promote its activities. A particular Hizbul Mujahideen commander, Burhan Wani, was one of the most popular social media figures within the group. In 2016, he was killed by Indian security forces which resulted in widespread political violence in Kashmir. The effective use of social media has allowed the group to continue recruiting and launching attacks. In 2017, the group was designated as a terrorist organization by the United States.
The group is one of the largest and oldest militant organizations in Kashmir that is still active. It enjoyed a great deal of support in the Kashmir Valley in the past, but the group’s influence has been gradually waning as insurgency in Kashmir declines and newer militant groups emerge. Despite its diminishing importance, Hizbul Mujahideen continues to play a role in Kashmir’s conflict.
When Hizbul Mujahideen began its armed campaign, the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) had been the main force leading the Kashmir insurgency against India. The JKLF had advocated for the complete independence of Kashmir from both India and Pakistan, but had concentrated its efforts on Indian-administered Kashmir. Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence had backed the JKLF in the past, but was concerned with its pro-independence ideology as the ISI wished to push for Kashmir’s integration into Pakistan. With the ISI’s backing, Hizbul Mujahideen was formed to advocate for Kashmir’s Islamization and accession to Pakistan.
After taking command of the group, Syed Salahuddin was faced with internal opposition to his leadership, but a series of fortunate events would lead to the consolidation of his control over HM. First, in 1991, Muhammad Ahsan Dar was expelled from the group by supporters of Salahuddin. In 1993, Hilal Ahmed Mir was killed by security forces. At this point, Salahuddin’s main rivals within HM were eliminated.
Hizbul Mujahideen was instrumental in the formation of the United Jihad Council (UJC), a coalition of pro-Pakistan militant groups operating in Kashmir, in 1994. This alliance brought together around 14 Pakistan-backed Kashmiri militant groups under a unified banner and served as the voice of the insurgents. Salahuddin still remains the alliance’s head to this day. HM was also reported to have operated and trained in Afghanistan alongside Hezb-e-Islami Gulbuddin until 1996, when the Taliban seized control of the country.
Salahuddin at this point had consolidated his control over the group, but eventually found himself battling for control of HM yet again in 2000 when operational commander Abdul Majeed Dar declared a ceasefire. While Salahuddin’s camp initially supported the ceasefire, this was withdrawn shortly after under pressure from Pakistan and other Kashmiri militant groups. Rumors began circulating that Dar had been in contact with the Indian security forces, notably the Research & Analysis Wing. This would result in his expulsion from Hizbul Mujahideen in May 2002, along with two other commanders. On March 23, 2003, Dar was assassinated by unidentified gunmen, although it is likely connected to HM.
By the mid-to-late 2000s, HM became a sort of vanguard group for militancy in Kashmir, serving as the voice and promoter of the insurgency. While security operations had damaged its militant capability, it was still the leading guerrilla group in the region. As of recently, the group has been known for its prolific use of social media to promote its activities. A particular Hizbul Mujahideen commander, Burhan Wani, was one of the most popular social media figures within the group. In 2016, he was killed by Indian security forces which resulted in widespread political violence in Kashmir. The effective use of social media has allowed the group to continue recruiting and launching attacks. In 2017, the group was designated as a terrorist organization by the United States.
The group is one of the largest and oldest militant organizations in Kashmir that is still active. It enjoyed a great deal of support in the Kashmir Valley in the past, but the group’s influence has been gradually waning as insurgency in Kashmir declines and newer militant groups emerge. Despite its diminishing importance, Hizbul Mujahideen continues to play a role in Kashmir’s conflict.
Leadership
Syed Salahuddin serves as the supreme commander of the outfit and is based in Pakistan. Salahuddin was previously an Islamic preacher and a political candidate in Kashmir prior to the start of the insurgency. Since 1990, he has been Hizbul Mujahideen’s top commander.
Within Indian-administered Kashmir, the outfit has had a number of operational commanders, who handle the on-the-ground militant activities of the group. The current operational commander is believed to be Showkat Ahmed Sheikh, who replaced Muhammad Ashraf Khan after his death in May 2022. In the past, the position was held by a number of fighters, notably Burhan Wani (until 2016) and Riyaz Naikoo (until 2020).
Within Indian-administered Kashmir, the outfit has had a number of operational commanders, who handle the on-the-ground militant activities of the group. The current operational commander is believed to be Showkat Ahmed Sheikh, who replaced Muhammad Ashraf Khan after his death in May 2022. In the past, the position was held by a number of fighters, notably Burhan Wani (until 2016) and Riyaz Naikoo (until 2020).
Structure
The group is de facto divided between its overall leadership in Pakistan and its on-the-ground leadership in Indian-administered Kashmir. The Pakistan-based leadership organizes the group’s general strategy and directs the political activities of the outfit. The leadership in Indian-administered Kashmir handles the group’s day-to-day military operations.
The group organizes itself into five divisions, one for each region of Kashmir that they operate in. The divisions are as follows: Central (operating in Srinagar), Northern (operating in Kupwara, Bandipore, and Baramulla districts), Southern (operating in Anantnag and Pulwama districts), Chenab (operating in Doda and Udhampur districts), and Pir Panjal (operating in Rajouri and Poonch districts).
Hizbul Mujahideen maintains a news agency known as Kashmir Press International as well as various social media profiles. It also has a women’s wing, the Banat-ul-Islam.
The group organizes itself into five divisions, one for each region of Kashmir that they operate in. The divisions are as follows: Central (operating in Srinagar), Northern (operating in Kupwara, Bandipore, and Baramulla districts), Southern (operating in Anantnag and Pulwama districts), Chenab (operating in Doda and Udhampur districts), and Pir Panjal (operating in Rajouri and Poonch districts).
Hizbul Mujahideen maintains a news agency known as Kashmir Press International as well as various social media profiles. It also has a women’s wing, the Banat-ul-Islam.
Objectives & Ideology
Since its inception, Hizbul Mujahideen has advocated for the separation of Indian-administered Kashmir from India and its joining with Pakistan. The group’s leadership has, in the past, openly admitted that it is fighting on behalf of Pakistan.
Ideologically, the group is considered to be Islamist and to an extent, Jihadist. It has advocated for the Islamization of Kashmir as well as the establishment of Islamic law in the region. Some point to HM as the reason for the transformation of the Kashmir insurgency from a nationalist conflict to a religious one.
Ideologically, the group is considered to be Islamist and to an extent, Jihadist. It has advocated for the Islamization of Kashmir as well as the establishment of Islamic law in the region. Some point to HM as the reason for the transformation of the Kashmir insurgency from a nationalist conflict to a religious one.
Allies
The group’s primary backer is Pakistan, who provides the group with training and financing as part of the ISI’s Operation Tupac. Through the United Jihad Council, HM also maintains ties to other Kashmiri militant groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed, Al-Badr, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Harkat-ul-Mujahideen. It has also been reported that the outfit has provided aid to newer Kashmiri armed groups, namely The Resistance Front (TRF) and the People’s Anti-Fascist Front (PAFF).
Opponents
Hizbul Mujahideen’s primary opponent is India and the group has consistently targeted the Indian Armed Forces and the Central Armed Police Forces. The outfit also opposed the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front and certain Kashmiri political groups in the past.
Cite This
MLA
Militancy Project Staff. “Hizbul Mujahideen.” MILITANCY PROJECT, Oct. 2022, https://militancyproject.weebly.com/hizbul-mujahideen.html.
APA
Militancy Project Staff. (2022, October). Hizbul Mujahideen. MILITANCY PROJECT. Retrieved [INSERT DATE], from https://militancyproject.weebly.com/hizbul-mujahideen.html
Chicago
Militancy Project Staff. “Hizbul Mujahideen.” MILITANCY PROJECT, October 2022. https://militancyproject.weebly.com/hizbul-mujahideen.html.
Militancy Project Staff. “Hizbul Mujahideen.” MILITANCY PROJECT, Oct. 2022, https://militancyproject.weebly.com/hizbul-mujahideen.html.
APA
Militancy Project Staff. (2022, October). Hizbul Mujahideen. MILITANCY PROJECT. Retrieved [INSERT DATE], from https://militancyproject.weebly.com/hizbul-mujahideen.html
Chicago
Militancy Project Staff. “Hizbul Mujahideen.” MILITANCY PROJECT, October 2022. https://militancyproject.weebly.com/hizbul-mujahideen.html.
Sources
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