US branding Hizbul Mujahideen may hardly jolt terrorist outfit

SRINAGAR: With squads of 400-odd terrorists, Hizbul Mujahideen cadre in J&K do not seem unnerved by the US state department declaring the outfit a global terror group. In fact there are experts who suggested that given the degree of anti-Americanism in Muslim-dominated Valley, this could even have a multiplier effect.

One cannot ignore the jolts suffered by Hizb in the past by way of internal feud over money, ideology, and with other terror groups like JKLF, which ultimately gave up arms in 1994 with the release of their chief Yasin Malik from jail.

Nonetheless, Hizb is still operating in the Valley and continues to get local support. "Hizb is now operated directly by Syed Salauddin from POK — albeit through their south Kashmir-based conduits," a top Hurriyat separatist told TOI.


Mainstream political parties like the PDP, National Conference and even Congress did not sound too upbeat about the State Department's action against the Hizb and termed it a "diplomatic gesture" which will hardly deter the outfit's cadre.

"It has rather given legitimacy to the group in Muslim majority Kashmir due to its hatred against the US, whom it blames for Palestine and wars in several Muslim countries," said Nasir Aslam Wani, senior NC official and former minister. PDP avoided coming on record considering it's in governance with the BJP, which has branded US action as India's victory on the international stage.

"Hizb's 100-odd homegrown militants, under newly minted commander Riyaz Naikoo, are stooges of Pakistan's ISI. Outfits like Hizb have no international base except in Pakistan; therefore, it would not choke their resources in terms of the funding, etc.," a top PDP official said.

Intelligence sources said the US declaration will have little impact in the Valley. The Hizb cadre comprises stonepelters and hardcore Muslim radicals. While stone-pelters are oblivious of the facts of the insurgency, radicals are unbothered about US utterances, sources said. "They firmly believe they are fighting jihad against Hindu India," a senior intelligence officer said.

Hizb is unhassled in the Valley with substantial public support. Notwithstanding a few incidents of flow of information about presence of militants in the villages, they get food, shelter and other comfort from sections of locals.