Pulwama Attack: The Suicide Bomber & The History Behind Terror Outfit Jaish-E-Mohammed

The attack that took place in Pulwana on Thursday, February 14, has shaken up the entire country. Till now over 42 CRPF personnel have been martyred in the attack that was allegedly carried by the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). As per the preliminary information, Kashmir based terrorist of the JeM, Adil Ahmad Dar was the main attacker. Here is a little history of Pakistani based militant group and their alleged attacker.

The video that was put out

Soon after the deadly attack the video and pictures of Adil started to surface on the internet. Adil Ahmad, also known as “Adil Ahmad Gaadi Takranewala” and “Waqas Commando of Gundibagh”, joined the Pakistan-based terror outfit last year in March.

On Thursday, just hours after the attack, Adil’s video was put on social media where he is seen armed with weapons.

As reported by The Print, the video started with him saying, “My name is Adil, I joined the Jaish-e-Mohammad, a year ago. After a year’s wait, I have got the chance to do what I joined the Jaish for… By the time this video reaches you, I will be in heaven… this is my last message for the people of Kashmir.”

In his video, he had also made communal remarks, referring to the Babri Masjid issue he said, “The day is not far when the Babri Masjid will resonate with the chants of Allah-hu-Akbar,” and that he dreams of hearing the chants of Allah-hu-Akbar resonating across the minarets of the Babri Masjid”.

Talking about JeM’s earlier attacks in India, he said, “We ( JeM) have given you enough pain during the IC 814 hijacking (1999), Nagrota camp killing (2016). From the Pathankot airbase attack to Pulwama police line to the BSF camp attacks, we have continuously proved ourselves and now we are stronger than before.”

Talking about loss of lives in these operations, he says, “Do not think that we will get disheartened by deaths of our commandos. It makes us stronger.”

Towards the end of the video, referring to the attack he says that this is not the end but the beginning. It is believed that Adil had joined terror group JeM last year on March 19, after going missing from his home.

A police source said he had been on the radar of J&K police ever since he started “groundwork” for the terror outfit, including initiating stone-pelting in the Valley. “He was highly radicalised and joined JeM while he was a student,” said the police source, reported The Print.

What is Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM)?

The group Jaish-e-Mohammad (Army of Mohammad) was formed in 2000 to fight for Kashmir’s independence from India. Pakistani cleric Maulana Masood Azhar created it.

The group that is considered as ISI’s favourite group for carrying out terror attacks in India and has emerged as a stronger contender against Hafiz Saeed’s Lashkar -e-Taiba that is also famous for carrying several terror attacks in the past.

This is not the first attack by JeM in India, and previously, the group has been implicated in a series of suicide bombings within Indian-administered Kashmir. In 1999, it was reportedly involved in the hijacking of an Indian airliner and in 2001 for the parliament attack in India.

The group is also infamous for involving in sectarian violence in Pakistan, targeting Shia Muslims and Christians. In 2002, JeM was formally banned in Pakistan. The countries like US, UK and India have branded it as a terrorist organisation.

Incidentally, the terrorist group leader, Azhar, was released by India in exchange for the passengers of the hijacked IC814 plane. It is also believed that Azhar has committed his own family to the jihadist war in Kashmir. He has been sending several of his young nephews to recruit, train and organise terrorists in Kashmir and launch terror attacks.

Also Read: Over 41 Martyred & Many Injured In Deadliest Attack In 20 Years: All You Need To Know