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Al Badr

The group's objective is the liberation of Muslims in Jammu and Kashmir and its eventual merger with Pakistan. This is to be followed by the whole of India and wherever there are Muslims to be liberated in the world where un-Islamic governments are in power. This can only be achieved through jihad. Its aim was thus to tax the Indian security forces and to terrorize Hindus in the valley into leaving Kashmir. It was hoped that prolonged terrorist attacks on India would make it bleed and finally relinquish it hold on Kashmir. Current Goals: In May 1999, members of al-Badr along with other militants crossed the Line of Control and held a 10 km stretch just inside Indian-administered Kashmir. The group was believed to have moved into the inhospitable, remote region in late April. India claimed that the militants were supported by the Pakistani military and responded with air strikes. Al Badr was critical of the Hizbul Mujahidin's decision to declare a ceasefire in July 2000 and rejected the Indian government's ceasefire declaration during Ramadan. Following the September 11 attacks on the US, Al-Badr denied any affiliation with al-Qaeda, although the group remained critical of President Musharraf's restrictions on jihadi groups and his support for the US War on Terrorism.