Ex-LeT divisional commander's killing leads to collision course among terror groups

Terror groups Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) are on a collision course with al Qaeda affiliate Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind (AGuH) following the death of Pakistan-based terrorist Abu Hamas, officials said on Friday. Hamas, who was with the LeT before switching sides to AGuH a few months ago, was killed in Anantnag on June 26.

Soon after his killing a war of words erupted on social media between HM and LeT on one side and pro-Caliphate 'tanzeems' (groups) on the other, an official aware of the development said. The AGuH then called for a 'shoora' (meeting) comprising members from different groups. The initial statement issued on June 28 by Islamic State-JK (ISJK) accused the HM for Hamas's killing.

On the same day, a similar statement was issued by pro-ISIS channel 'Ahlu Tawheed' blaming Pakistan and HM and LeT for the killing.

On July 6, AGuH 'commander' Hamid Lelhari criticised the incident and called for a probe according to Islamic law, the official said. Claiming that recently the AGuH had declined a conditional offer of support from Pakistan, Lelhari suggested the formation of an executive council comprising two

members each from various terrorist groups in the Valley for effective coordination. A worried Syed Salahuddin, supreme commander of HM in a video on July 7, urged every militant to remain united for the common 'cause' and asked them to probe the incident and punish the accused, the official said.

Few pro-ISJK entities claimed that on the direction of Pakistani agencies, a separate squad of rebel HM and LeT cadres had declared a war against ISJK and AGuH. Pertinently, IS had announced on May 10 the formation of 'Wilayah-al-Hind'. Besides, after the death of its founder Zakir Musa, AGuH had vowed to carry forward his legacy.