ISLAMABAD: Maulana Asim Umar, who has been appointed by al Qaeda chief Ayman al Zawahiri as the head of the group’s India branch, is held in ‘equally high respect’ by both local and foreign militants, say Pakistani militants who claim to have worked with him.
Urdu-speaking Umar was previously an active member of Harkatul Mujahideen – a banned outfit which has been fighting against Indian authorities in Indian Kashmir. According to militant leaders familiar with him, he once headed a Harkat training center in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
Much earlier, Umar, who is said to be in his mid-40s, was a teacher at a religious school in Karachi. He is said to speak fluent Arabic, English and Pashto.
Umar developed ties with al Qaeda and other militant outfits during his time with Harkatul Mujahideen, his colleagues say. “Umar has been very close to al-Qaeda since it was launched,” a former member of the Harkat told The Express Tribune.
Harkat once hosted deceased al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden when he was living in Afghanistan, a former Harkat leader says. The group also arranged bin Laden’s first press conference in Afghanistan’s Khost province in 1988. Al Qaeda was formally launched at this press conference.
Two militant leaders said Umar has earned the trust of Arab militants and was highly respected by Pakistani, Afghan and foreign militants.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 11th, 2014.
COMMENTS (29)
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Al Qaeda’s India chief highly respected from like-minded people!
Al Qaeda’s India chief highly despised from the Awakened, be they Muslims; Hindus or Buddhists!
@ Aalia
That's not the right solution or the right thought process. Please don't be so hard hearted.
The best training institutes are located in Pakistan. He has to be good.
I think it as a welcome development, an opposition of that kind will lead to consolidation of Hindu nationalist sentiment, and the radical anti india sentiment will get the message.
It's sad that they get support/shelter in Pakistan. This will make Pak even more vulnerable.
A terrorist and that too respected, this can happen only pakistan, the havan for terrorists
Time to get the Drones flying again.
Respected by ? ......... other terrorists......... how does that make sense ?
@flybouy ET is just stating the Official Slogan of Pakistani Mindset, dont like? then change Mentality of your people. ET is just stating the Truth(I suppose this is why Media exist)
@usman Take Anti Hallucinating Drugs
Terrorist- Highly respected. What is wrong with his headline??? Think ET before publishing. You are a lot better than that.
As a peace loving Pakistani, I urge Indian authorities to be vigilant of all these dirty terrorist organisations. Don't allow them to penetrate into India by keeping a constant check on them.
CEOs/CXOs of some of the most high profile fortune 500 companies - Pepsico, Desutche Bank, Microsoft , Nokia to name a few are Indians, CEOs of some of the most vicious terrorist organizations in the world are Pakistanis !!!! Need I say more.
By putting a Highly Respected' title for murders of innocent people, this news paper is insulting humanity as a whole. SHAME ON YOU!
The Indian chief of any multi national organization either operating or wanting to operate in India are generally competent Indians, persons of Indian origin with western education or simply a western person who previously held a high office in the said organization. But this, this is al Qaeda and their Indian chief is a pakistani. The best in business.
'Highly respected terrorist' is usually an oxymoron, but in Pakistan, I guess the usual rules don't apply.
wow pakistan....... u can boast of having a person finally that is respected throughout the world.....much amaze .... such education system..... very jealous .... :D
well. Only Al Qaida can nullify the Hindu extremism caused by Modi and co.
I hope it goes through the filter of the ET !!!! I have stopped my comments because of biased filtering.
The way ET has put this one as main news, shows that there is definite demand in the public sentiment towards any news which is against India The fact that it is a news in Pakistan and these people are flourishing, shows the world why Pakistan is becoming a pariah country As I understand the term educated is regarding his profession (teaching in religious school), knowledge in English & Arabic (others are also known b locals), shows that, in general, society of Pakistan gives more importance to religious studies rather than science and maths.These all point to the decadence of the great region which was at one time the confluece of trade, religion, knowledge, etc. This region was first wall of resistance to the subcontinent people from external attacks. Today it is all alone (with no friends left) trying to resist the onslaught of the hardline Islam influx. And to our horror we see it is crumbling from inside. It helps nobody - the least to Pakistan. Feel sorry.
Shame on these kinds peoples. i think these are non muslims but their links were connected with muslims by international forces.
So this is an outright admission that terrorist camp are being operated in POK and Pakistan is abating terrorism.
Does he have a PhD or what?
The so called respected chief should come to India will get a grand reception by the intelligence agencies who are already waiting for him.
Are we telling the world that Al-Qaeda chief and the fighters for Kashmir "liberation" are the same? No wonder none of our neighbors trusts us. Are we really that closely knit with the worst terrorists in the world? No wonder OBL had a long safe stay in our army base for better part of the decade!
If Al Quaida comes to India, they shall be targeting the muslims first. Talibans, Al Quaida, ISIS, all have been killing muslims primarily. Over 90% of their victims are muslims. Indian muslims know this well and they will not allow these forces to enter India. Indian muslims are a lot different from muslims of Pakistan. In Pakistan, tribal, sectarian and ethnic divide enables these terrorists to gain foothold, whereas in India these do not exist amongst its muslim population. It is the same in Bangladesh also and these terrorists will not be able to gain a foothold there also.
Hide where ever you want, Indian forces will hunt you down!
So all the most wanted international terrorists are hiding in Pakistan.
Poor chap doesn't know that India is a different kettle of fish. Good luck recruiting Indian Muslims or even Bangladeshi Muslims for that matter.