ISLAMABAD: The October 8 killer quake in Pakistan has literally given a new lease of life to many banned Islamic militant groups operating from the Pakistani-administered Kashmir and waging a so-called jehad against the Indian forces in Jammu & Kashmir.
With the government writ undermined by its ineffective responses to the tremor, and with popular frustration and anger against the regime growing, many Pakistani militant groups, described by India as terrorist organisations, have occupied the space created by the momentous humanitarian crisis in Azad Kashmir, and have become more brazen about their activities. In sharp contrast to the government relief agencies, most jehadi groups have demonstrated tremendous agility in undertaking rescue operations for the affected people of Kashmir whose cause they espouse.
A cursory glance over the relief and rehabilitation activities being carried out by guerilla turned philanthropists in Azad Kashmir shows that in contrast to most of the government relief agencies and aid workers, they are well-organised and devoted and have a nimble network. Being the first responders within hours of the catastrophe, the militants started removing those trapped under the debris of the collapsed houses besides providing emergency treatment to the injured. The militant groups appear to be working on the pattern of Hamas and Hezbollah, two Palestinian radical groups whose humanitarian work found roots among the people.
Currently, over half a dozen banned militant groups can be seen carrying out relief work in the quake-affected areas of Azad Kashmir, and apparently with due permission by the government. In the beginning, the police authorities dismantled many such relief camps set up by these jehadi groups on government orders. However, they were later allowed to resume relief activities keeping in view the magnitude of the disaster. The militant groups involved in relief and rehabilitation work in Azad Kashmir are the Lashkar-e-Toiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad, Hizbul Mujahideen, Harkatul Mujahideen, Tehreekul Mujahideen, Al-Badar, Hizbul Tehrir and Tehrik Nifaz-e-Shariat Muhammadi.
While the October 8 quake has undoubtedly inflicted some damage on the jehadi infrastructure in Pakistan, the setback appears to be momentary, and would be more than compensated by the emerging circumstances and by the accelerated replenishment rate of cadres. Most of the quake-stricken jehadi groups that were based in Azad Kashmir, are regrouping with the prevalent atmosphere also offering them an opportunity to reinforce their support structures in Pakistan, at the expense of the administration, which has come in for a great amount of flak for its delayed and ineffective response to the disaster.
Analysts fear that while relief efforts by militant groups have provided much-needed aid, the inevitable gratitude of grief-stricken families will come in handy for the larger goals of the jehadis, since there are reports of Islamist extremists recruiting for the jehad from amongst the affected populace.
