Security Agencies Track Reported ISI Push to Revive Al-Umar Mujahideen in J&K

According to intelligence officials, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) is examining the possibility of using Al-Umar Mujahideen for renewed operations in Jammu and Kashmir. The outfit was founded in Srinagar in 1989 by Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar, also known as Mushtaq Latram, who is currently based in Pakistan.

The group has not been known to have significant recent operational activity in the Valley. However, security agencies have increased surveillance around the organisation following reports of efforts to rebuild its presence.

Officials cited by security sources said Pakistan's preference is reportedly to have a Kashmir-based outfit at the forefront of any renewed militant activity. They claimed Hizbul Mujahideen, which has historically been one of the principal Pakistan-backed groups operating in the region, is not currently being considered for a leading operational role.

According to the officials, several Hizbul Mujahideen operatives are instead believed to be working alongside cadres associated with Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM).

Security sources also referred to an alleged ISI-linked group described as the Kashmir Study Group, which they said examines political and security developments in Jammu and Kashmir and provides recommendations concerning militant organisations operating in the region.

One of the recommendations attributed to the group involves bringing Al-Umar Mujahideen, LeT and JeM under a coordinated operational arrangement initially, with Al-Umar eventually being positioned to operate independently in Jammu and Kashmir.

The reported strategy would allow the older outfit to rebuild its organisational base before being presented as a separate, locally rooted militant group. Security analysts have previously documented efforts linked to Pakistan to revive older militant banners in Jammu and Kashmir and project the appearance of indigenous militancy.

Al-Umar Mujahideen emerged after breaking away from the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF). The group subsequently adopted an Islamist and pro-Pakistan orientation, in contrast to the JKLF's stated objective of an independent Kashmir.

The organisation became largely inactive in Jammu and Kashmir after the mid-2000s. Its founder, Mushtaq Zargar, was among the militants released by India in 1999 in exchange for passengers held hostage aboard Indian Airlines flight IC-814. Security and terrorism studies have previously documented Al-Umar's links with Pakistan-based militant networks and its association with groups including JeM and LeT.

The group came under renewed attention after the National Investigation Agency attached properties linked to Zargar under anti-terror legislation.

According to intelligence officials, the long period of inactivity is one reason Al-Umar is being considered for revival, as its older identity could potentially be used to create the impression of a revived indigenous organisation.

The officials further claimed that Hizbul Mujahideen could initially remain in a supporting role, with its cadres operating alongside LeT and JeM, while any larger operational responsibility would be considered at a later stage.

Indian agencies are continuing to monitor developments involving the reported revival of Al-Umar Mujahideen and other dormant militant organisations. Recent security assessments have similarly highlighted attempts to revive older groups such as Al-Umar Mujahideen, Al Badr and Tehreek-ul-Mujahideen as part of efforts to create a “homegrown” narrative around militancy in Jammu and Kashmir.