Al Qaeda Announces India Branch

Al Qaeda leader Ayman al Zawahiri  announced Wednesday the launch of the Indian branch of the militant group.

The launch was announced in a 55 minute video posted online, reports Reuters.

In the video, Zawahiri talks about bringing in Islamic rule and raising the flag of jihad in the subcontinent.

Zawahiri said that the creation of the new unit is good news for Muslims in Burma, Bangladesh, Assam, Gujarat and Kashmir as it would rescue them from discrimination and tyranny.

Zawahiri also renewed the organization's pledge of loyalty to Taliban leader Mullah Omar. This declaration by Zawahiri is a clear rebuke to the Islamic State who sees itself as the leader of the jihadist movement.

Counter terrorism specialists opine that the al Qaeda leadership is finding it hard to get new recruits unlike the Islamic State which has recruited several young men from all over the world, reports Reuters.

After Zawahiri's announcement, the Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh has convened a meeting with intelligence officials , reports Times of India.

 The home ministry has also asked the Intelligence Bureau to confirm the legitimacy of the video. However, many Indian states have been put on alert.

"In the wake of this al Qaida video, we will be on a higher alert. We will work closely with the central government to tackle any threat posed to the state," said S K Nanda, Additional Chief Secretary in the home department , reports Times of India.

Manish Tewari, a leader of the opposition party, Congress,  said that the government must take notice of the video and should pressurize Pakistan to speed up the 26/11 case.