Page 499 - SSB Interview: The Complete Guide, Second Edition

The different insurgent groups have different aims in Kashmir. Some want
complete independence from both India and Pakistan, others want unification
with Pakistan and still others just want greater autonomy from the Indian
government. A 2010 survey found that 43% in Jammu and Kashmir would

favour independence, with support for the independence movement unevenly
distributed across the region.

Identity

Over the last two years, the militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba has split into two

factions: Al Mansurin and Al Nasirin. Another new group reported to have
emerged is the Save Kashmir Movement. Harkat-ul-Mujahideen (formerly
known as Harkat-ul-Ansar) and Lashkar-e-Taiba are believed to be operating

from Muzaffarabad, Azad Kashmir and Muridke, Pakistan respectively.

Other lesser-known groups are the Freedom Force and Farzandan-e-Milat.
A smaller group, Al-Badr, has been active in Kashmir for many years and is

still believed to be functioning. All Parties Hurriyat Conference, an
organisation that uses moderate means to press for the rights of the
Kashmiris, is often considered as the mediator between New Delhi and

insurgent groups.

Al-Qaeda

It is unclear if Al-Qaeda has a presence in Jammu and Kashmir. Donald

Rumsfield suggested that they were active and in 2002, the SAS hunted for
Osama bin Laden in Jammu and Kashmir. Al-Qaeda claims that it has
established a base in Jammu and Kashmir. However, there has been no

evidence for any of these assertions. The Indian Army also claims that there
is no evidence of Al-Qaeda’s presence in Jammu and Kashmir. Al-Qaeda has
established bases in Pakistani-administered Kashmir and some, including

Robert Gates have suggested that they have helped to plan attacks in India.