Al-Qaeda in the Indian subcontinent

Al-Qaeda in the Indian subcontinent
جماعة قاعدة الجهاد في شبه القارة الهندية
LeadersAsim Umar  (2014–19)
Osama Mahmood (2019–present)
Dates of operation3 September 2014 (2014-09-03) – present
Merger ofVarious Pakistani, Indian, Bangladeshi and Afghan Jihadist Factions.
Allegiance Al-Qaeda
Groups Ansarullah Bangla Team
Harkat-ul-Jihad al-Islami
Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind
Lashkar al-Zil
Muslim United Liberation Tigers of Assam (until 2016)
Active regionsIndian subcontinent
Ideology
see list
Size180-400 in Afghanistan (UN report)
Unknown in Pakistan and India
Part of Al-Qaeda
AlliesState allies

Non-state allies

Opponents
Battles and wars
Designated as a terrorist group by Australia
Bangladesh
India
Myanmar
Pakistan
United States
Website
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Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (Arabic: جماعة قاعدة الجهاد في شبه القارة الهندية, romanizedJamā‘at Qā‘idat al-Jihād fī Shibh al-Qārrah al-Hindīyah, lit.'Group of the Base of Jihad in the Indian subcontinent') usually abbreviated as AQIS, is a branch of the pan-Islamist militant organization al-Qaeda. After announcing the establishment of AQIS in 3 September 2014, Ayman al-Zawahiri declared that the branch's stated objectives involved fighting the governments of India, Myanmar, Bangladesh and Pakistan.

The formation of the group was part of al-Qaeda's efforts to capitalise on Pakistani military's policy of tolerance to anti-Indian insurgent groups, as well as to counter the expansion of the Islamic State militant group in the subcontinent. AQIS stated in 2014 that it views Pakistan as a "doorstep" to expand its war against India. The militant group has also stated its intentions to attack American targets in the Indian subcontinent. This group is listed as a terrorist organization by the United Nations, United States, Canada, India and Pakistan.