Islamic State-Khorasan
Why in News?
Recently, a terror attack at Moscow's Crocus City Hall claimed over 137 lives, reigniting concerns about the resurgence of the Islamic State (IS) and its growing terror capabilities.
- Experts believe the attack was likely carried out by IS Khorasan (IS-K), the group's Afghanistan-Pakistan branch.
What is the Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-K)?
- IS-K:
- IS-K, the Afghanistan-based arm of the IS, has been responsible for recent attacks, including the twin bombings in Kerman, Iran.
- Established in Afghanistan's Nangarhar province in 2015, IS-K comprises Central Asian militants and has gained prominence since the Taliban's return to power in August 2021.
- IS-K targets Afghanistan's Shia minority and seeks to recruit radicalised youths from Central Asia and Afghanistan's Tajik and Uzbek minorities.
- IS-K utilises anti-Russian and anti-Iranian propaganda to recruit among Central Asians, Afghans, and Pakistanis.
- Geopolitical instability in Afghanistan and parts of West Asia provides fertile ground for IS-K to regroup and launch attacks.
- Security Challenges for Russia:
- Russia, hosting thousands of Central Asian migrant labourers, faces a serious security challenge due to IS-K's activities.
- Russia faces pressure to enhance security measures and address the root causes fueling IS-K's resurgence.
Islamic State:
- The Islamic State (IS) also known as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), is a Salafi-Jihadist militant organisation.
- It is a transnational Sunni insurgent group operating primarily in western Iraq and eastern Syria that seeks to establish an Islamic caliphate in Iraq and Syria and to create a global Salafi-Jihadist movement.
- IS claimed the establishment of a “province” in India called “Wilayah of Hind”.
- ISIS is recognised as an unlawful organisation in India under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. The Central Government has included ISIS in the First Schedule of the Act.
Prominent India-Centric Terror Organizations in Pakistan
| Name | Formation | FTO Design-ation | About | Status in India as per the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 |
| Lashkar-e-Taiba (LET) | Late 1980s | 2001 | Responsible for major 2008 attacks in Mumbai and numerous other high-profile attacks. | Banned |
| Jaish-e-Mohammed (JEM) | 2000 | 2001 | Along with LET, it was responsible for the 2001 attack on the Indian parliament. | Banned |
| Harakat-ul Jihad Islami (HUJI) | 1980 | 2010 | Initially formed to fight the Soviet army, later redirected efforts toward India. Operates in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and India, seeking annexation of Kashmir into Pakistan. | Banned |
| Harkat-ul-Mujahideen (HUM) | 1985 | 1997 | Operates mainly from Pak-Occupied Kashmir and some Pakistani cities. | Banned |
| Hizb-ul Mujahideen | 1989 | 2017 | The militant wing of Pakistan’s largest Islamist political party, and is one of the largest and oldest militant groups operating in Jammu and Kashmir. | Banned |
| Al Qaeda | 1988 | 1999 | Operates primarily from former Federally Administered Tribal Areas in Karachi, and Afghanistan. | Banned |
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Prelims
Q. Hand-in-Hand 2007’ a joint anti-terrorism military training was held by the officers of the Indian Army and officers of the Army of which one of the following countries? (2008)
(a) China
(b) Japan
(c) Russia
(d) USA
Ans: (a)