From: Patterns of Global Terrorism, 2000. United States
Department of State, 2001.
Harakat ul-Ansar (HUA)
Description
Formerly known as the Harakat al-Ansar, the HUM is an
Islamic militant group based in Pakistan that operates primarily in Kashmir.
Long-time leader of the group, Fazlur Rehman Khalil, in mid-February stepped
down as HUM emir, turning the reins over to the popular Kashmiri commander and
his second-in-command, Farooq Kashmiri. Khalil, who has been linked to Bin Ladin
and signed his fatwa in February 1998 calling for attacks on US and Western
interests, assumed the position of HUM Secretary General. Continued to operate
terrorist training camps in eastern Afghanistan.
Activities
Has conducted a number of operations against Indian
troops and civilian targets in Kashmir. Linked to the Kashmiri militant group
al-Faran that kidnapped five Western tourists in Kashmir in July 1995; one was
killed in August 1995 and the other four reportedly were killed in December of
the same year. The new millennium brought significant developments for Pakistani
militant groups, particularly the HUM. Most of these sprang from the hijacking
of an Indian airliner on 24 December by militants believed to be associated with
the HUM. The hijackers negotiated the release of Masood Azhar, an important
leader in the former Harakat ul-Ansar imprisoned by the Indians in 1994. Azhar
did not, however, return to the HUM, choosing instead to form the
Jaish-e-Mohammed (JEM), a rival militant group expressing a more radical line
than the HUM.
Strength
Has several thousand armed supporters located in Azad
Kashmir, Pakistan, and India's southern Kashmir and Doda regions. Supporters are
mostly Pakistanis and Kashmiris and also include Afghans and Arab veterans of
the Afghan war. Uses light and heavy machineguns, assault rifles, mortars,
explosives, and rockets. HUM lost some of its membership in defections to the
JEM.
Location/Area of Operation
Based in Muzaffarabad, Pakistan, but
members conduct insurgent and terrorist activities primarily in Kashmir. The HUM
trains its militants in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
External Aid
Collects donations from Saudi Arabia and other Persian
Gulf and Islamic states and from Pakistanis and Kashmiris. The source and amount
of HUM's military funding are unknown.