SRINAGAR, JUNE 8: When a mysterious video statement today announced the arrival of Al Qaeda in India, its message was read out by a masked man speaking in Urdu with a strong Kashmiri accent. The group, that claimed to be Al-Qaeda’s India chapter chose a local news agency here as its messenger.

Although the content of the statement echoes Al-Qaeda’s ideology, it lacks the network’s signature style.

The person making the claim was identified as Abdul Rehman al-Ansari, the same name used in a similar call earlier this year.

The statement stresses on turning Kashmir into a pan-Islamic battle but is strongly critical of the separatist and militant leadership. “International Jihadi movements have a clear goal - end of borders and establishment of Khilafat (Islamic rule),” the masked man said. “However, the Jihad in Kashmir is being turned into a fight for a piece of land between two countries”.

The statement is critical of separatist leadership. “They are divided into two Hurriyat Conferences and are putting forth frivolous demands like implementation of United Nations resolutions and calling for strikes and public demonstrations,” the statement said.

Director General of J-K Police Gopal Sharma said that there is “absolutely no information” to suggest that Al-Qaeda is in Kashmir.

Al-Qaeda’s statements are always in Arabic by spokesmen who don’t wear masks. Al Qaeda, rather than criticizing local jihadi groups, has always supported them.