JEM changes name to ward off global scrutiny on terror group

NEWDELHI: Terrorist group Jaishe-mohammed (JEM) has changed its name to Majlis Wurasa-e-shuhuda Jammu wa Kashmir to ward off international pressure and scrutiny over its jihadi training activities in Pakistan, and Mufti Abdul Rauf Asghar, the younger brother of its bedridden chief Masood Azhar, has taken control of the Pakistan-based terror outfit, according to people familiar with the development.

Azhar, a globally designated terrorist, lies terminally ill in Markaz Usman-o-ali in Bhawalpur, Pakistan.

According to counterterror agencies in India, Jaish has re-emerged with a new name but the same leadership and terrorist cadre; it was previously known as Khudam-ul-islam and Al Rehmat Trust. The flag of Jaish’s new avatar Majlis Wurasa-e-shuhuda Jammu wa Kashmir (which roughly translates to “gathering of the descendents of martyrs of J&K”) is the same of its mother outfit with only change of word “Al-islam” in place of “Al-jihad”, they added.

One of its leaders, Maulana Abid Mukhtar, has already called for jihad against India, the US and Israel at its Kashmir rallies this year.

According to Pakistan watchers, Jaish has prepared a group of 30 suicide attackers to hit India, particularly installations in mili

tary cantonments and convoys of Indian security forces in Jammu & Kashmir. Rauf Asghar has not only reactivated the Markaz Syed Ahmad Shaheed training camp at Balakot this month but has also been motivating recruits in Bhawalpur and Sialkot to attack Indian security establishments.

HT first reported the news of the Balakot camp being reactivated after the Indian Air Force’s strike on it in February.

According to the counterterror agencies, training and radi