UJC suspends 'jihad' in Indian Kashmir to help flood efforts
United Jihad Council's commander appeals to UN, International Red Cross and OIC to help flood victims in Kashmir
MUZAFFRABAD:
An alliance of militant groups fighting in Indian-occupied Kashmir announced Monday it was suspending jihadist activities to carry out rescue and relief work for flood victims.
The umbrella United Jihad Council (UJC) was formed in 1994.
Talking to AFP, Syed Salahuddin, the group's supreme commander accused the Indian government of not doing enough for ordinary flood victims in Kashmir.
"The Indian government is rescuing only tourists and their troops and the news about relief for the people of Kashmir by the Indian media is a pack of lies," he said.
He also blasted the Pakistani government for not caring about the flood victims in Kashmir and termed it "criminal negligence".
He said: "We have suspended all operations against Indian troops in Kashmir because we are working for the flood victims.”
"I appeal to the UN, International Red Cross and OIC (Organisation of Islamic Cooperation) to help the flood victims in Kashmir, our fighters will volunteer for them."
The UJC includes al Qaeda and Taliban affiliated Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad militant groups, which are on US and UN lists of terror organisations.
Floods and landslides from heavy monsoon rains that began in early September have now claimed almost 500 lives in Pakistan and India.
As many as 2.4 million people have been affected by floods in Pakistan. The flood is currently passing through central Punjab and is expected to reach Sindh over the next day.
An alliance of militant groups fighting in Indian-occupied Kashmir announced Monday it was suspending jihadist activities to carry out rescue and relief work for flood victims.
The umbrella United Jihad Council (UJC) was formed in 1994.
Talking to AFP, Syed Salahuddin, the group's supreme commander accused the Indian government of not doing enough for ordinary flood victims in Kashmir.
"The Indian government is rescuing only tourists and their troops and the news about relief for the people of Kashmir by the Indian media is a pack of lies," he said.
He also blasted the Pakistani government for not caring about the flood victims in Kashmir and termed it "criminal negligence".
He said: "We have suspended all operations against Indian troops in Kashmir because we are working for the flood victims.”
"I appeal to the UN, International Red Cross and OIC (Organisation of Islamic Cooperation) to help the flood victims in Kashmir, our fighters will volunteer for them."
The UJC includes al Qaeda and Taliban affiliated Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad militant groups, which are on US and UN lists of terror organisations.
Floods and landslides from heavy monsoon rains that began in early September have now claimed almost 500 lives in Pakistan and India.
As many as 2.4 million people have been affected by floods in Pakistan. The flood is currently passing through central Punjab and is expected to reach Sindh over the next day.