Zakir Musa Quits Hizbul After His ‘Beheading’ Warning to Hurriyat

This comes after the outfit distanced itself from Musa’s purported statement on Hurriyat leaders.

Zakir Musa took over as the commander of the Hizbul Mujahideen after Burhan Wani was killed in an encounter last year. (Photo: The Quint)

Hizbul Mujahideen commander Zakir Musa, on 13 May, announced his plans to end his association with the outfit, Kashmir Dispatch reported. The development comes hours after the militant outfit distanced itself from Musa’s statement, in which he threatened to behead Hurriyat leaders for calling the Kashmir struggle a “political movement.”

In a video that surfaced on social media on Friday, a voice purported to be that of Musa’s, can be heard saying that the heads of the separatist leaders will be displayed at Srinagar’s Lal Chowk. The Quint could not independently verify the video.

Also Read: J&K: Hizbul Threatens to Behead Senior Hurriyat Leaders in Video

I Stand By My Statement: Musa

Musa succeeded Burhan Wani after the latter was killed in an encounter with security forces in July 2016. In a statement, published by Kashmir Dispatch on 13 May, Musa said:

It doesn’t bother me what others say, but I stand by my speech. But see, I have had not said anything against a particular person or Geelani. I have said only against that individual who is against Islam and talks about freedom for secular state. If we are fighting for freedom for secular state, then I think we are not martyrs. 

Also Read: Meet Zakir Musa, Militant Claiming to be Kashmir’s new Burhan Wani

‘My Blood Will Spill For Freedom of Islam’

The Kashmir Dispatch report quotes Musa as saying: “I know we have to first fight for freedom and expel Indian army which has occupied us. But our intention should be that we have to achieve ‘azaadi’ for Islam, not for secular state. If we are fighting for freedom for secular state then my blood won’t be spilled for that purpose”.

So, if Hizbul Mujahideen doesn’t represent me then I also don’t represent them. From today onwards, I have no association with Hizbul Mujahideen.

Zakir Musa

“I am not against any particular individual. I meant to say that till we don’t pin all our hopes on Allah then we won’t get azaadi even if we have nuclear weapons and other mass weaponry. So we should pin all hopes on Allah. If we keep pinning hopes on these humans, on ‘Taghoot’ then we won’t get aazadi ever,” the report quotes him as saying.

Also Read: Terrorists or Rebels? Here’s What Kashmiri Militants’ Families Say

Musa’s Statement is ‘Unacceptable’: Hizbul Mujahideen

On Saturday morning, the Hizbul Mujahideen asserted that it does not subscribe the leader’s statements, as reported by Kashmiri news agency KNS. In a statement, Hizbul Mujahideen spokesperson Saleem Hashmi said: “Such a statement is unacceptable to us. It reflects the personal opinion of Zakir Musa”.

Post Burhan Wani’s martyrdom, the nation and the leadership are united at every front and taking ahead the struggle for freedom and Islam to its end,” 

“At this juncture, any such statement or step will strengthen the occupying and imperialistic forces. Hizbul Mujahideen, the guardian of lakhs of sacrifices and freedom, is assessing the statement and won’t hesitate to take steps for the betterment of the freedom movement. We appeal the pro-freedom youth not give much attention and discourage such statements coming out in the media,” the spokesperson said.

(With inputs from Kashmir Dispatch and KNS.)