India’s precision airstrikes under Operation Sindoor have not only dismantled terror hubs in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir but also triggered strong reactions from global jihadist groups. Among them, Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) has issued an open threat against India, invoking ‘Jihad fi Sabilillah’—a term it has distorted to call for violence. The strike, carried out on May 7, 2025, specifically targeted terrorist infrastructure linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Hizbul Mujahideen, and has now drawn backlash from Al-Qaeda, signalling the deep impact of India’s counter-terror offensive.
Al-Qaeda misuses religious terminology to justify violence
In a statement titled ‘Indian Aggression on the Land of Pakistan’, AQIS condemned India’s airstrikes and called upon Muslims in the subcontinent to join what it described as a religious struggle against India. The group referred to its retaliation plan as “Jihad fi Sabilillah,” or “struggle in the path of God,” urging followers to engage in what it falsely claims is a religious duty.
Traditionally, this term holds spiritual significance in Islamic theology and refers to personal devotion and self-improvement. However, extremist groups like Al-Qaeda have long exploited such terms to justify acts of terrorism. By invoking religion, AQIS aims to radicalize individuals and portray India’s counter-terrorism operations as a broader war against Islam—an assertion Indian officials have firmly rejected.
The Indian government has reiterated that Operation Sindoor was aimed solely at eliminating terror bases that orchestrate attacks on civilians and security forces, and had nothing to do with targeting any religion or community.
Deep-rooted ties between Al-Qaeda and South Asian terror groups
Al-Qaeda’s sharp reaction reflects its decades-old associations with the terror groups hit by India’s strike. Lashkar-e-Taiba founder Hafiz Saeed received training in Afghanistan and established early links with Al-Qaeda’s Osama bin Laden. Arif Qasmani, another key Lashkar figure, served as a crucial coordinator between Al-Qaeda and LeT operations.
Similarly, Jaish-e-Mohammed has a well-documented history of collaboration with Al-Qaeda and the Taliban. Jaish militants have undergone training in Al-Qaeda camps and have operated jointly in Afghanistan, especially after the 9/11 attacks. Even Hizbul Mujahideen, though largely Kashmir-focused, shares ideological sympathies with Al-Qaeda, raising red flags among Indian intelligence agencies.
The fallout from Operation Sindoor appears to go beyond physical damage—it has fractured strategic partnerships among jihadist groups. AQIS’s aggressive response underscores the disruption caused to their larger objectives, revealing how deeply India’s surgical operation has rattled the terror network.
