For an archive of other backgrounders click here.
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Earlier this morning, the Islamic State announced the creation of a new Wilayat al-Hind. While the claim is related to an attack in Kashmir, it likely will also apply to any activity in India in the future as well. As Mina al-Lami notes, this is not the first time IS has claimed an attack in Kashmir before. Previously it was under its Wilayat Khurasan, which is most associated with its operations in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Therefore, once again, IS is reorganizing its provincial structure. This new system is part of a broader change since the fall of IS’s territorial control in Baghuz, Syria, which ended almost two months ago now. Recently, IS inaugurated a so-called Wilayat Wasat Ifriqiya for its operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi’s recent video highlights a so-called Wilayat Turkiya for a phantom province in Turkey, which could become more relevant in the future, but time will tell. Either way, it is clear that IS is making a number of changes to further bolster its capabilities outside of Iraq and Syria.
For now, you will find below details on what we know about IS’s prior activities in Kashmir. If anyone wants to add anything to the following dossier let me know and I will post it so there is a fuller picture. From oldest to most recent.
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December 25, 2017:
Part of a broader thread
Online accounts affiliated with so-called Islamic State (IS) have shared a video showing a pledge of allegiance to the group made by “mujahidin in Kashmir”, possibly paving the way for an IS declaration of a new branch there.
— Mina Al-Lami (@Minalami) December 25, 2017
December 26, 2017:
‘Rebel group’ in Indian-occupied Kashmir pledges allegiance to IS – The Express Tribune
January 23, 2018:
Representations of Mahmud of Ghazni in the Islamic State’s texts – Neil Aggarwal, Contemporary South Asia: https://bit.ly/2PXTSYM
February 9, 2018:
An Idea or a Threat? Islamic State Jammu & Kashmir – Amira Jadoon, Combating Terrorism Center: https://bit.ly/2nWjR5i
February 26, 2018:
March 12, 2018:
IS emir in J&K, two others gunned down – Times of India
Annonce de la mort d'Abu-l-Bara al-Kashmiri, qui était apparu en décembre 2017 dans une vidéo où son groupe faisait allégeance à l'#EI au #Cachemire. pic.twitter.com/EftuH6715I
— Romain Caillet (@RomainCaillet) March 13, 2018
March 13, 2018:
The pseudo-IS leader in #Kashmir, Essa Fazli or Abu Yahyā al-Istashadi, reported killed by the Indian army pic.twitter.com/l7vmQwqqdt
— Tore Hamming (@ToreRHamming) March 13, 2018
March 14, 2018:
March 30, 2018:
May 11, 2018:
June 15, 2018:
June 17, 2018:
June 22, 2018:
Four ISJK militants killed in Army’s Anantnag operation – The Hindu
July 25, 2018:
August 4, 2018:
August 7, 2018:
August 22, 2018:
September 11, 2018:
September 12, 2018:
Islamic State in Jammu and Kashmir (ISJK) announces the death of its 3rd amir, Abu Anwar al-Kashmiri.
Third amir to be killed in 6 months pic.twitter.com/WSH1MJYcie
— Tore Hamming (@ToreRHamming) September 12, 2018
November 11, 2018:
December 6, 2018:
December 31, 2018:
January 11, 2019:
Thread:
Pro-ISIS graffiti around the Srinagar area of India-held Kashmir. Photos from this week.
1/2 pic.twitter.com/1Ouxjy1s6O
— F. Jeffery (@Natsecjeff) January 11, 2019
May 10, 2019:
