Internal communications accessed by some media sources, involving members and supporters of the banned terrorist group Hizbul Mujahideen (HM), allege an assassination plot against the group's leader, Syed Salahuddin.
According to the leaks, the Pakistan Army, under the leadership of former Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, orchestrated the plot.
The documents claim that Bajwa sought to curb the activities of terror groups operating in Kashmir. When Salahuddin refused to scale back anti-India operations, the former Army Chief allegedly ordered his elimination. These events are purported to have transpired in early 2018.
Bajwa Doctrine Fuels Speculation
The timeline aligns with a period in March 2018 when Bajwa spoke to journalists, expressing a desire to address terrorism and reintegrate willing militants into mainstream society. This approach was later termed the "Bajwa Doctrine" by think tanks and media.The leaked communications gain some credence due to Salahuddin's subsequent withdrawal from public life. The 78-year-old militant leader, now based in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, is said to be living in fear of assassination by Pakistan Army.
HM's Decline and Conflicting Signals from Pakistan
Hizbul Mujahideen and Salahuddin, once major players in the Kashmir conflict, have significantly diminished in influence.However, subsequent events cast doubt on whether Bajwa reneged on his stated goals or faced resistance from elements within the Pakistan Army and its intelligence wing, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), who sought to continue a hostile policy toward India.
One year after Bajwa's statements and the alleged attempt to control terror groups, the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) executed a deadly suicide attack on a CRPF convoy in February 2019, prompting Indian airstrikes on JeM camps in Balakot, Pakistan.
Key Figures and Timeline
When the Bajwa Doctrine was initially discussed, Lieutenant General Naveed Mukhtar headed the ISI. Lt. Gen. Syed Asim Munir, the current Pakistan Army Chief, succeeded Mukhtar in October 2018.Notably, India and Pakistan renewed a ceasefire agreement along the Line of Control (LoC) in February 2021.
Renewed Hostility Allegations
The leaked documents further claim that Salahuddin was approached in late 2022 or early 2023 by a senior Pakistani Army official with a request to reignite terror attacks in Kashmir.Salahuddin reportedly demanded the court-martialing of Bajwa and Faiz Hameed (the former ISI Chief who retired in December 2022) for allegedly compromising on the Kashmir issue. The official allegedly promised to address Hameed's case but maintained that Bajwa was untouchable.
Important Note: Defence.in has not independently verified the authenticity of the leaked communications. The allegations presented are serious and warrant further investigation.
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