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Rediff.com  » News » Al Qaeda India branch mentions Modi in new video

Al Qaeda India branch mentions Modi in new video

May 04, 2015 10:16 IST
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The Al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent has for the first time directly mentioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a video message released by its publicity wing As-Sahab on May 2.

In the video titled 'From France to Bangladesh: The Dust Will Never Settle Down', AQIS chief Maulana Asim Umar mentioned Prime Minister Modi in the context of what he claims to be a war against Muslims.

Umar talked about attack on Muslims "through World Bank and IMF policies, drone attacks, Charlie Hebdo's writings, UN charter, official sermons by muftis and Narendra Modi’s utterances."

AQIS has also claimed responsibility for the assassination of for the assassination of several secular writers and intellectuals in Bangladesh and Pakistan, including Avijit Roy who was hacked to death in Dhaka in February.

Roy, a prominent writer and secular activist, was hacked to death by two assailants with machetes on the streets of Dhaka in February as he returned from a book fair with his wife.

The Bangladesh-born writer, who emigrated to Georgia some 15 years ago, was well known in his homeland for his Mukto-Mona (Free-mind) blog where he railed against all forms of organised religion.

He was also the author of a series of books, including the best-selling The Virus of Faith, which triggered a controversy in Bangladesh.

"Like the companions of the Prophet who defended him with their lives," Umar was quoted as having said in a statement that was released online yesterday, "The mujahideen of Al Qaeda have dispatched to hell many who blasphemed against God, and insulted the Prophet."

Al Qaeda leader Ayman Al-Zawahiri announced the creation of AQIS and introduced Asim Umar as its leader in a video posted online in September 2014. The wing was announced when the terror group said Myanmar, Bangladesh and Assam were some of the key areas of operation.

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