Al-Qaeda in the Indian subcontinent
| Al-Qaeda in the Indian subcontinent | |
|---|---|
| جماعة قاعدة الجهاد في شبه القارة الهندية | |
| Flag of AQIS | |
| Leaders | Asim Umar † (2014–19) Osama Mahmood (2019–present) | 
| Dates of operation | 3 September 2014 – present | 
| Merger of | Various Pakistani, Indian, Bangladeshi and Afghan Jihadist Factions. | 
| Allegiance | Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan | 
| Group(s) | Muslim United Liberation Tigers of Assam (until 2016) Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind (until 2022)Ansarullah Bangla Team | 
| Active regions | Indian subcontinent | 
| Ideology | |
| Size | 180-400 in Afghanistan (UN report) Unknown in Pakistan and India | 
| Part of | Al-Qaeda | 
| Allies | State allies Non-state allies | 
| Opponents | State opponents | 
| Battles and wars | |
Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (Arabic: جماعة قاعدة الجهاد في شبه القارة الهندية, romanized: Jamā‘at Qā‘idat al-Jihād fī Shibh al-Qārrah al-Hindīyah, lit. 'Group of the Base of Jihad in the Indian Subcontinent') usually abbreviated as AQIS, is a branch of the pan-Islamist militant organization al-Qaeda. After announcing the establishment of AQIS in 3 September 2014, Ayman al-Zawahiri declared that the branch's stated objectives involved fighting the governments of India, Myanmar, Bangladesh and Pakistan.
The formation of the group was part of al-Qaeda's efforts to capitalise on Pakistani military's policy of tolerance to anti-Indian insurgent groups, as well as to counter the expansion of the Islamic State militant group in the subcontinent. AQIS stated in 2014 that it views Pakistan as a "doorstep" to expand its war against India. The militant group has also stated its intentions to attack American targets in the Indian subcontinent. This group is listed as a terrorist organization by the United Nations, United States, Canada, India and Pakistan.