Hamas-Pakistan Terror Nexus in PoJK: A Wake-Up Call for Bharat?

On 05th February 2025, Pakistan-supported terrorist groups—Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM)—organised a gathering to observe the ‘Kashmir Solidarity Day & Al-Aqsa Flood’ conference at Shaheed Sabir Stadium in Rawalakot, Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). The observation of the ‘Kashmir Solidarity Day’ is Pakistan’s propaganda tool to push the anti-Bharat agenda. In the gathering, alongside LeT and JeM top commanders, the presence of one of the key Hamas^[1] representatives in Iran—Dr. Khalid Al-Qadoumi has raised concerns among Bharat’s security community. This write-up discusses the event that took place on 05th February and presents an analytical viewpoint on whether Bharat should consider banning Hamas as a terrorist organisation under Section 35, first schedule of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act [UA(P)A], 1967.

The Conclave of Terror Groups in PoJK

The presence of Dr Khalid Al-Qadoumi, a senior Hamas representative in Iran, along with other Hamas leaders, at the event underscores a concern that Bharat should not ignore or take lightly. Among the terror leaders from LeT and JeM, key attendees included Talha Saif (brother of JeM chief Masood Azhar), JeM commander Asghar Khan, and LeT’s Masood Ilyas. ^[2] Dr Khalid Al-Qadoumi also had a separate meeting with Maulana Fazlur Rehman, chief of Jamiat-e Ulema-e-Islam (F) [JUI-F]. The gathering glorified the Hamas’ surprise attack of October 2023 in Southern Israel. Hamas is infamous for employing diverse tactics against Israel and civilians, including rocket attacks, suicide bombings, and cross-border incursions. On 07th October 2023, Hamas’ armed wing— Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, along with other Palestinian terror groups, launched an unprecedented, coordinated assault named “Operation Al-Aqsa Flood” on populated areas in the southern Israel district within 7 km of the Gaza strip. Around 1,200 people, including women and children, were killed^[3], and around 251 civilians and security personnel were taken hostage. ^[4]

The event of 05 Feb 2025 in POJK showcased anti-Bharat and anti-Israel sentiments, with Hamas’ leader being welcomed by LeT and JeM leaders, waving Hamas flags. It also highlighted Pakistan’s support to terrorists and separatists for carrying jihad in Jammu and Kashmir. During the event, one of the JeM’s terrorists declared that “the Mujahideen of Palestine and Mujahideen of Kashmir have now united. It is time to shed blood in Delhi and to separate Kashmir from India.” ^[5] Such a gathering is the first of its kind where Hamas’ leader shared the stage with Pakistan-sponsored terror organisations, raising concerns for Bharat on the nature of ties between these terror groups.

Probability of Terror Alliance: Hamas and Pakistan-based Terror Groups

Hamas openly advocates for the annihilation of Israel and the establishment of an ‘Islamic state’. The group’s ideology is rooted in radical Islamist extremism and Islamic fundamentalism, like that of other transnational terror groups— al-Qa’ida and Islamic State (IS). Ideologically, LeT adheres to Ahl-e-Hadith (Salafi), and JeM follows the Deobandi school of thought. Despite the mere ideological differences, both terror groups had ties with the Afghan jihad, collaborating with al-Qa’ida and the Taliban. Hamas, LeT and JeM have a common ideological objective of opposing ‘infidel’ powers (Israel, Bharat, and the West), which acts as a potential operational bridge.

In 1977, an Islamist fundamentalist organisation and student wing of Jamaat-e-Islami (Hind)— the Student Islamic Movement in India (SIMI) was established in Uttar Pradesh, Bharat. SIMI had advocated the ‘liberation of Bharat’ by converting it to Dar-ul-Islam (land of Islam) by waging jihad. ^[6] Shortly after the 9/11 terror attacks in the United States (U.S.), on 27th September 2001, the Bharatiya government banned SIMI and Indian Mujahideen (IM), another affiliated terror group, under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act [UA(P)A], 1967. Though both terror groups were banned, their sleeper cells remained active. Between 2005 and 2013, several terror attacks, including the 2008 Delhi bomb blasts^[7] and the 2010 Pune German Bakery blast^[8], were linked to IM.

The LeT and JeM have carried out several terror attacks in Bharat, including the infamous 2001 Parliament attack (JeM), the 2008 Mumbai attack (LeT), and the 2019 Pulwama suicide bombings (JeM). As of now, Hamas has confined its terror activities against Israel; however, its participation in the Pakistan-supported conference in PoJK signals an expansion of its influence and growing links with the terror groups. On a different occasion, in October 2023, Hizb ul-Mujahideen (HM) chief Syed Salahuddin associated the so-called resistance movements in Kashmir and Palestine. Salahuddin said, “India too was ‘murdering’ innocent Kashmiris and taking all the wealth and money from Kashmir. This is the time for jihad.” ^[9] Although such statements from Salahuddin do not carry much importance, he is considered a discredited terrorist after upsetting Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Directorate for not delivering results in Kashmir post-nullification of Article 370.

Previously, Hamas leaders have been outspoken about the alleged propaganda of human rights violations in Kashmir. On 29th October 2023, Khaled Meshaal, a former leader of Hamas, virtually addressed a rally organised in Malappuram, Kerala, in support of Palestinians. The event, tagline ‘Uproot Bulldozer Hindutva and Apartheid Zionism’, was coordinated by the Solidarity Youth Movement (SYM), the youth wing of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JeI-H). The SYM described Hamas as a ‘resistance movement’ and referred to Meshaal as a ‘freedom fighter.’ ^[10] Under the disguise of the rally’ Sava Palestine’, the JeI-H group orchestrated the hatred against Bharat and Hinduism, and glorified Hamas terrorists. Justifying the presence of Hamas leader, SYM’s state president— C T Suhaib, told the media that “Hamas is not a banned organisation in India; hence, its leader’s presence is not against the law.” ^[11] On 05th November 2023, JUI-F chief Fazlur Rehman met with Ismail Haniyeh and Khaled Meshaal, leaders of Hamas, in Qatar. During the meeting, Rehman urged the Muslim world to unite against perceived injustices by Israel. Meshaal highlighted that the issues of Palestine and Kashmir serve as critical tests for human rights advocates. ^[12]

Despite the crackdown of SIMI and IM, the sleeper cells allegedly remained active and linked with Pakistan-supported terror groups. Though there is a lack of strong evidence of direct operational linkages between Hamas and Pakistan-sponsored terror groups and sleeper cells operating in Bharat, ideological sympathies and shared training networks have been a matter of concern.

Should Bharat Ban Hamas? Assessing Security Concerns and Diplomatic Implications

As of now, Bharat has not officially banned Hamas as a terrorist organisation under the UA(P) Act, though it has condemned the attacks carried out by the group against Israel. During his conversation over the phone with Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Bharat’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned that “there is no place for terrorism in any form or manifestation.” ^[13] Also, Bharat’s External Affairs Minister— Dr S Jaishankar, condemned the 07th October attack against Israel and said that—

As Bharat’s diplomatic approach is balanced with Israel and Palestine, banning Hamas will be a significant move with possible implications. As for security concerns, enlisting Hamas as a terrorist organisation will align Bharat with countries, including the U.S., the United Kingdom (U.K.) and the European Union (E.U.), who have classified Hamas as a terror organisation, and strengthen intelligence and security cooperation. The move will also underline Bharat’s position against global terrorism i.e. policy of ‘Zero tolerance’ and concerns related to ideologically driven extremism. The ban may also provoke Hamas and aligned terror groups to target Bharat’s interests abroad, including threats to diplomats, businesses, and citizens in countries where Hamas has influence.

On the other side, considering the diplomatic implications, banning Hamas will likely complicate Bharat’s bilateral ties with Palestine, and nations supporting the Palestinian cause, including Iran, Qatar, and the U.A.E. Groups aligned with Hamas, mainly Hizbu’llah, may consider Bharat as an adversary and coordinate an indirect disinformation campaign, inspired by jihadist narrative. Given the Bharatiya diaspora working in the Gulf region and some of these nations being key energy partners, banning or not banning Hamas requires to be weighed carefully in order to realise Bharat’s security and geopolitical objectives.

References

^[1] Note: Hamas, a Palestinian terrorist group, with an acronym of Harakat al-Muqawama al-Islamiya, or Islamic Resistance Movement in English language.
^[2] Sharma, Shivani. “In a 1st, Hamas part of terror meet in PoK attended by Jaish, Lashkar leaders”, India Today, 5 February 2025, available from: https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/pakistan-occupied-kashmir-anti-india-event-hamas-jaish-lashkar-terrorists-attend-2675283-2025-02-05 [3]
^[3] “Israel’s Dead: The Names of Those Killed in Hamas Attacks, Massacres and the Israel-Hamas War”, Haaretz, 19 October 2023, available from: https://archive.ph/20240803235317/https://www.haaretz.com/haaretz-explains/2023-10-19/ty-article-magazine/israels-dead-the-names-of-those-killed-in-hamas-massacres-and-the-israel-hamas-war/0000018b-325c-d450-a3af-7b5cf0210000 [4]
^[4] Fabian, Emanuel. “IDF says it has notified families of 242 hostages being held in Gaza”, The Times of Israel, 02 November 2023, available from: https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/idf-says-it-has-notified-families-of-242-hostages-being-held-in-gaza/ [5]
^[5]मिश्र, प्रियेश. “जैश-ए-मोहम्मद और लश्कर-ए-तैयबा ने हमास से मिलाया हाथ, पाकिस्तान में एक साथ दिखे तीन आतंकी संगठन”, नवभारत टाइम्स , 05 February 2025, available from: https://navbharattimes.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/jaish-e-mohammed-and-lashkar-e-taiba-joined-hands-with-hamas-in-pakistan-to-attack-on-india/articleshow/117956470.cms [6]
^[6] “Students Islamic Movement of India”, South Asia Terrorism Portal, available from: https://www.satp.org/satporgtp/countries/india/terroristoutfits/simi.htm [7]
^[7] “2008 Delhi serial blasts: Court frames terror charges against Indian Mujahideen’s Yasin Bhatkal”, Scroll, 13 February 2018, available from: https://scroll.in/latest/868592/2008-delhi-serial-blasts-court-frames-terror-charges-against-indian-mujahideens-yasin-bhatkal [8]
^[8] Banerjee, Shoumojit. “German Bakery blast: charges framed against Yasin Bhatkal”, The Hindu, 29 April 2019, available from: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/german-bakery-blast-charges-framed-against-yasin-bhatkal/article26981281.ece [9]
^[9] Gupta, Manoj. “Kashmir & Palestine Going Through Same Turmoil ,It’s time for Jihad: Hizbul Mujahideen Chief”, News18, 12 October 2023, available from: https://www.news18.com/world/kashmir-palestine-going-through-same-turmoil-its-time-for-jihad-hizbul-mujahideen-chief-exclusive-8613952.html [10]
^[10] TNN. “Hamas leader addressed rally against Hinduism, Zionism”, The Times of India, 29 October 2023, available from: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/hamas-leader-addressed-rally-against-hinduism-zionism/articleshow/104788301.cms [11]
^[11] Ibid.
^[12] Raza, Syed Irfan. “Hamas leaders call Palestine, Kashmir litmus test for rights”, Dawn, 06 November 2023, available from: https://www.dawn.com/news/1786813 [12]
^[13] “PM Speaks with the PM of Israel”, Prime Minister’s Office (India), 30 September 2024, available from: https://www.pmindia.gov.in/en/news_updates/pm-speaks-with-the-pm-of-israel/ [13]
^[14] “’October 7th incident was a terrorist attack’: EAM S. Jaishankar on Israel-Iran Conflict”, Hindustan Times, 01 October 2024, available from: https://www.businesstoday.in/latest/world/story/we-regard-the-october-7th-incident-as-a-terrorist-attack-eam-s-jaishankar-on-israel-iran-conflict-narendra-modi-benjamin-netanyahu-448413-2024-10-01 [14]

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