More than ten days after former Hizbul Mujahideen Commander Zakir Musa was announced by Al-Qaeda as the head of its Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind cell in Kashmir, he released an audio message slamming leaders who are promoting false ideals of jihad in Pakistan and putting roadblocks in the way of people’s struggle. Musa has accepted that both Abu Dujana and Arif Lelhari, who were killed in a recent encounter with government forces at Hakripora in Pulwama, are a part of his outfit. “Our two beloved friends Abu Dujana and Arif bhai became martyrs at Pulwama’s Hakripora village. May Allah accept their martyrdom and make us victorious in carrying forward their mission,” Musa said in an audio message that bears the insignia of Roshan Kashmir and Al-Hurr. Earlier Zakir Musa never came out with any statement after the killing of many militants by SF in past.

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Zakir Musa’s statement in favour of Slain militants is no surprise as his declaration of Caliphate of Kashmir had left the masses totally disenchanted. Fearing the withdrawal of popular support, Zakir Musa has lost no time to re align with the main stream militant organizations of Kashmir. It is rather unfortunate that Kashmiri militants use Shahadat of their ‘friends in arms’ to align or dis- align from past practices. Zakir Musa used Burhan Wani’s death to declare separate outfit backed by Al Quida and now quickly back tracked on his steps after Abu Dujana’ death.