Mohammad Shehzad

Saleem Hashmi is the official spokesman of the Kashmir-based outfit of holy warriors -- Hizbul Mujahideen -- which came into being in 1990. Hashmi, 42, the most trusted man of Syed Salahuddin (the outfit’s chief) was an active Mujahid until recently when he was asked to manage Hizb’s media and information office located in Rawalpindi’s posh area, Satellite Town—a few miles away from the capital Islamabad.

Saleem Hashmi

Hashmi closely monitors all the national and international publications and keeps Salahuddin abreast of what is being published about jihad and other related issues. This is an exclusive interview with him on the jihad in Kashmir. Despite persuasion, Hashmi did not agree to provide a photograph.

Question: Pakistan banned jihadi outfits like Lashkar Tayyaba and Jaishe Mohammad suspecting them as organizations that spread terror. Whereas Hizbul Mujahideen, which is the oldest jihadi group, was not banned. Any particular reason?

Why Lashkar and Jaish were banned, I would not like to comment although we think it was not fair. Hizb is a Kashmiri outfit. Its indigenous character is recognized even by India. When it announced a “ceasefire” in 2002, the Indian Home Minister L K Advani stated: “These are Kashmiri people. These are our people.” He also said that 90 percent mujahideen in Kashmir were local people. Only 10 percent came from Lashkar or Jaish. He was ready to talk to us.

Advani’s statement proves, Hizb is a Kashmiri outfit working for the cause of Kashmir. Our cause is very clear and legitimate that has stopped the world from banning us. The UN recognized that Kashmir is a disputed territory which would be resolved through a plebiscite. It is the UN’s failure to implement its resolution that has triggered the “armed resistance”. When “democratic ways” would be shut down armed resistance would prevail. That is the reason the world is reluctant to say: “Kashmir is no cause!”

Question: If your movement is indigenous then why are you here in Rawalpindi? Shouldn’t you be sitting in the Occupied Kashmir?

“Indigenous” does not mean that we have no right to be in any part of the world. We are working on the media front. Do you see any weapons here? A part of Kashmir is with Pakistan. The issue is not confined to “Occupied Kashmir”. The issue is of the entire state of the Jammu and Kashmir. The part that is with Pakistan we call it “Pakistani administered Kashmir” no matter you keep on calling it Azad Kashmir (free Kashmir).

We refer to “Occupied Kashmir” for that part of Kashmir which has been subjugated by India. We use the word “administered” in Pakistan’s case because it is ready to implement the UN resolutions, whereas India is not, therefore, the world “Occupied” is used. So, if we are in Pakistan, we are here on this basis that we are in our own territory. India on the other hand has banned us. It does not let us function. With its exception, no other country has imposed such a ban on us. The US officials are frequently visiting Pakistan these days. They don’t talk about Hizb. They only talk about al-Qaeda!

Question: How 9/11 has impacted your cause, particularly Pakistan’s U-turn on its policy toward jihadis?

Pakistan is a party to our movement because it is a party to the Kashmir dispute. It has got a part of Kashmir. It can’t take a U-turn on the Kashmir issue. We did not start armed struggle at Pakistan’s behest. It is our people’s struggle which would continue.

Question: How stable is your movement at this stage?

There were some weaknesses. In 1994, India masterminded some “counter-insurgency” outfits like Ikhwan or Muslim Mujahideen. It bribed mujahideen. Those were really bad days. But such fake organizations could not survive for more than two years. Since our movement was indigenous, our strength has been our people. Writing about us, the renowned Indian writer Khushwant Singh said, whether you call them “criminals” or “militants” or “freedom fighters” or whatever, they are harbored by the indigenous local people. This means that people are with the movement and don’t want accession with India.

You can’t blame Pakistan for masterminding this movement. So coming to your previous question on 9/11, I don’t think it has impacted us. We have a network everywhere. We unleash an attack every week which terrorizes the Indians for months. We would continue to do that until India comes to the dialogue table.

Question: Mr Lone, the late renowned Kashmiri leader was on record saying that militant organizations had caused a serious setback to the Kashmir movement. “They have hijacked the Kashmir cause…” were his exact words. How would you defend it?

Lone was a politician. He had to work on the diplomatic front too. But he never opposed the indigenous armed struggle. He might have condemned the outsiders. By the way he is also on record urging the Taliban in 1994-5 to come and augment jihad in Kashmir! This had really upset the Indian agencies and they had been hunting him.

If someone from Pakistani administered Kashmir joins our armed struggle, he is not an outsider. One of our colleagues’ name was Hassan Afghani. The Indian media exploited it spearheading the propaganda that Afghans had expanded jihad to Kashmir. Lone had to clarify in a press conference that “Afghani” was just a name and the guy was very much a local Kashmiri.

Question: You just said that one attack sufficiently cripples the Indian army psychologically for at least a month. But did you ever think about its repercussions? The Indians then target the innocent and unarmed citizens. Does not it breed hatred against you?

We are peace loving people but we don’t want peace at the cost of freedom. When civilians are targeted the hatred increases—not against us but against the Indian army!

Question: When would they come to the table? They haven’t for the last 55 years!

Sooner or later, they will have to come! Around 0.75 million Indian army has badly stuck its neck out in the valley. They are not finding any exit! That’s why out of frustration, they talk about launching a nuclear attack on Pakistan!

Question: You seem to be so proud of a nuclear attack! Would it be a good thing?

They will not launch a nuclear attack because we know the Hindu mentality. A Muslim is not afraid of death, whereas, a Hindu is. A Hindu does not want to die. Our attacks have terrified them so much that the Indian soldiers have started quarrelling with each other. They don’t sleep. They have been killing each other. They have been committing suicides. Their professionalism has come to an end.

Question: But the Indians are killing your people on a massive scale. If this killing continues, you all would be eliminated! According to your own claim, you have sacrificed 80,000 Kashmiris.

They have failed to eliminate us during the 13 years. We are 12 million! We are also killing them. We are causing a heavy damage to their interests. They are under tremendous pressure. The world is also feeling this pressure and asking India to resolve the Kashmir issue.

Question: Kashmir issue would have never protracted had India given maximum autonomy and rights to the Kashmiris. You agree?

There used to be a prime minister and president in Kashmir during 1953. There was internal autonomy during Baxi Ghulam Mohammad’s period. But it was not acceptable. People took to the streets. “Autonomy” is just an “eyewash”. Kashmiris needs the right to self-determination.

Question: Are you opposed to the idea of Independent Kashmir?

We have not opposed it. We think accession with Pakistan would be better but the final decision would be of the people of Kashmir. If they preferred to live with India, we will accept it.

Question: The armed resistance has forced the Kashmiri Pundits to leave the valley. Is it true?

It was the Indian conspiracy—Jag Mohan’s brainchild. They wanted to implement the agenda of Kashmiris’ genocide, therefore, they first of all evacuated all the Hindus from the valley and then started targeting the Kashmiris. The Indians do this always.

When the former US president Bill Clinton came to Pakistan, they killed Sikhs and put the entire blame on Pakistan. In Aloocha Bagh, the Indian Task Force attacked the Sikhs. It wanted to burn them alive but a huge group of Sikhs overpowered them. This case is still pending in a court in India. In fact, Hizb has requested the Kashmiri pundits to return to the valley and on Salahuddin’s call several pundits have come back. Hizb has assured them full protection and safety.

Question: How would you react if Pakistan accepted the line of control (LOC) as international border between India and Pakistan?

We will not accept it. It would be like committing suicide. It would not solve the problem. So much blood has been shed. One brother is here, another is there, how is it going to work? Even if Pakistan did accept it, the movement across the border will continue and Pakistan would not be able to stop us. We would be very sad but we will not give up and continue the armed struggle.

Question: What is Hizb’s vision of suicide attacks?

A suicide attack is the supreme form of martyrdom. But Hizb does not plan suicide attacks. Although it storms into the Indians’ camps but always with an exit strategy. We have been very successful in bleeding India at a minimal loss. We have caused panic in the Indian army. We have killed 30,000 Indian soldiers and wounded numerous others. The Indian army men are afraid to be posted in Kashmir. Their families celebrate when they are transferred from the valley to any other place.

Copyright ©2002 Mohammad Shehzad & South Asia Tribune. About the author