Al-Qaeda's designs would come to nought: Shiv Sena

MUMBAI: Reacting strongly to al-Qaeda chief al-Zawahiri's statement that the terror outfit would intensify attacks against India, the Shiv Sena today said it was nursing a pipe dream.

"Al-Zawahiri has threatened that the al-Qaeda will start spreading its wings in India and intensify its attacks. It had hidden these intentions for many years but has now made them clear. But al-Qaeda should keep it in mind that this dream will never be fulfilled," Sena said in its editorial mouthpiece 'Saamna'.

Al-Qaeda would start a new wing dedicated to waging 'jihad' in the Indian subcontinent and beyond, Ayman al-Zawahiri announced in a video posted online earlier this week.

The Saamna editorial added that after Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister, the Hindus had united against the terrorists with a renewed vigour.

Instead of targeting India, the al-Qaeda should rather concentrate on saving Islam in Islamic countries, it said.

"Look with open eyes at what is happening... Pakistan is completely finished. Afghanistan is on the verge of collapse. Egypt, Libya, Syria have become helpless in the hands of militants. al-Qaeda should therefore concentrate on saving Islam in Islamic countries," it said.