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In a recent interview, Azam Tariq, the spokesman of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP, or the Movement of Pakistani Taliban), has outlined the Taliban's plans for jihad against India, after taking over Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The Taliban spokesman warned that more than 3,000 suicide bombers have been trained for battle in India, according to the exclusive interview published by the Indian website rediff.com. Without specifically mentioning Israel, Tariq indicated that the jihad's trajectory will move to the Middle East after a "decisive battle" in "Hindustan," i.e. India.
It does not appear that his threat is a cause of immediate worry for Indian authorities, but the statement will be taken seriously by Indian security agencies in view of the October Commonwealth Games in New Delhi and next year's multi-nation World Cup Cricket tournament in India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh.
Following are excerpts from the rediff.com report:[1]
"If Pakistan Changes Its Anti-Taliban Policies, the Mujahedeen Can Not Only Free Kashmir…"
"TTP spokesperson Azam Tariq… has vowed to capture 'Hindustan'…"
"[He stated:] 'India is our jageer (domain)… and we will attack to take possession of it. We are training lots of fighters and suicide bombers who will be used for this purpose…'
"We are preparing fighters to attack India. Sooner or later, when there is no tussle between the Pakistani forces and us, or after we defeat the Pakistani forces, the mujahideen will move toward Hindustan…
"There are around 3,000 trained suicide bombers with the TTP. Others are undergoing training. We are not preparing them for Pakistan, but for our real target – the occupation of India…"
"We don't have any connection with those attackers or their backers [i.e. those involved in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks], but we appreciate their struggle and sacrifices…"
The rediff.com report noted that "the Taliban would fight a 'decisive battle' in India before proceeding toward the Middle East, presumably to evict Israel from that region."
The Taliban spokesman added: "For us, whether they are Hindus or Jews, they all are the same. Soon, we will teach India a lesson. India's defeat at the hands of the mujahideen is written in our religious books…
"We are not against Pakistan, but we don't like its pro-American policies; we will target their security forces, the secular leaders and other sensitive installations until the government does not change its anti-Islamic policies…
"What has Pakistan gained from American friendship? Despite Pakistan's role as a frontline ally in the war against terror, India is closer to the U.S.
"The Americans are not interested in solving the Kashmir issue and have shown their inclination toward India in this regard. Pakistani rulers should remember that only the mujahideen would come to their rescue in case of Indian aggression against their country…
"If Pakistan changes its anti-Taliban policies, the mujahedeen can not only free Kashmir from India, but can also capture India itself…"
Endnote:
[1] www.rediff.com, India, July 26, 2010. The text of the report has been lightly edited and order of paragraphs changed for clarity.
