The Al-Qaeda core operating from tribal areas of Pakistan is keen to compete with its splinter, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS/ISIL) at all levels. To match the magnitude and ferocity of ISIS terrorist attacks, Al-Qaeda operatives in Pakistan even attempted to hijack a Pakistan Navy frigate PNS Zulfiqar in September 2014. Just one week before that failed incident, the then Al-Qaeda Emir Ayman al-Zawahiri announced the establishment of Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent, led by Asim Umar. a veteran jihadi, on September 4, 2014 in a 55-minute video.
Since Al-Qaeda wants to spread the tentacles of its Pakistani franchise in the Indian Subcontinent, the most recent Al-Qaeda endeavour in this regard is the launching of its women wing: Al-Qaeda Shaheen (falcon) Force. According to the statement this force would be led by Afinda Bint-e-Ayesha under the tutelage of Umaima Hassan Ahmed Muhammad Hassan, wife of Ayman al-Zawahiri. Mrs. Zawahiri has remained instrumental alongside her husband, the chief of Al-Qaeda, in mobilizing jihadi women. Time and again she has urged Muslim women to raise children for jihad.
Author: Farhan Zahid