 |
| US UMAV attackes in Pakistan/Afghanistan |
Srinagar, May 8 : While India was spared of any attack directly masterminded, or even aided by Osama himself, it did find mention in his messages suggesting that the jehadi ideologue looked upon India as an enemy and a potential target. The alliance between al-Qaida and Kashmiri freedom fighters, India's main threat, suggests that Osama had evolved into more than being just an inspirational figure for several Kashmiri freedom fighter groups targeting India.The links between anti-India groups and Osama's jihadis have been known at least since 1998 when members of Harkat-ul-Ansar, AL-Jehad, Hizb, Jamiata fighter group focused on Kashmir, training alongside al-Qaida members in Afghanistan were killed in a US missile attack. In fact, the very first reference to India by Osama came in May 1998 when he said in a press conference at Khost in Afghanistan that he would love to join the jihad in Kashmir if the Pakistani authorities allowed him. Osama's answer came in response to a question from a Pakistani journalist. In the same conference, he announced the formation of International Islamic Front for Jihad Against the US and Israel.
