Al-Qaeda threatens terror attacks in Indian states in response to ‘insult to the Prophet’

*Paromita Das

Following controversial remarks made by members of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, the Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) outfit has threatened to carry out terror attacks in the Indian states of Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Mumbai, and Delhi (BJP).

In a June 6 threat letter, the AQIS stated that it would launch suicide attacks to “fight for the honour of the Prophet.”
“On an Indian TV channel a few days ago, the propagators and flag bearers of Hindutva – a system and philosophy hostile to Allah’s religion and Shariah – insulted and slandered the purest of beings, the most honourable after God himself, Muhammad al Mustafa, Ahmad al Mujtaba, and his noble and pure wife, the mother of the believers, Sayyidah Ayesha bint Abu Bakr as Siddeeq “As a result of this affront, Muslim hearts all over the world are bleeding and filled with feelings of vengeance and retribution,” the letter says.
“We warn every audacious and impudent foul mouth of the world, especially the Hindutva terrorists occupying India, that we must fight for the dignity of our Prophet, urge others to fight and die for our Prophet’s honour, kill those who affront our Prophet, and bind explosives with our bodies and the bodies of our children to blow away the ranks of those who dare to dishonour our Prophet,” it says.
“The saffron terrorists should now be waiting for their demise in Delhi, Bombay, Uttar Pradesh, and Gujarat.” “They should not seek refuge in their homes or fortified army cantonments,” the letter states.

AQIS is al-newest Qaeda’s affiliate, reportedly founded in 2014.

The group is thought to have members in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Myanmar, and has targeted atheists and doctors.

West Asian countries and Muslim-majority countries have reacted angrily to controversial remarks made by BJP members Nupur Sharma and media in-charge Naveen Jindal about Prophet Mohammed. While Sharma was suspended and asked to explain himself, Jindal was expelled from the party.