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{{Short description|Kashmiri Islamist militant (1994–2019)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2017}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Zakir Rashid Bhat
| order = Founder and 1st Ameer of [[Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind]]
| image =
| caption =
| order2 = Field operational Commander of [[Hizbul Mujahideen]]
| allegiance = *{{flagicon image|Green Shahada.png}} [[Hizbul Mujahideen]] <br /> (2013-2017)
*[[File:Flag of Jihad.svg|22px]] [[Al-Qaeda]]<ref name="bbc" /><ref name="TOI June 2017">{{cite news |author1= |title=Terrorists in Kashmir: Army releases list of 12 most wanted terrorists in Kashmir Valley - India News |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/army-releases-list-of-12-most-wanted-terrorists-in-kashmir-valley/articleshow/58943727.cms |work=The Times of India |date=2 June 2017|access-date=2 June 2017 |archive-date=12 November 2020 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112022327/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/army-releases-list-of-12-most-wanted-terrorists-in-kashmir-valley/articleshow/58943727.cms}}</ref> <br /> (2017-2019)
| branch = [[File:Flag of Jihad.svg|22px]] [[Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind]].<ref name="bbc" /><ref name="TOI June 2017"/><br/>(2017-2019)
| education = [[B.Tech]]
| occupation = [[Engineer]]<ref name="Tikoo Singh TOI"/>
| active years2 = 2013-2019
| term_start2 = 9 July 2016
| term_end2 = 13 May 2017
| predecessor2 = [[Burhan Wani]]
| successor2 = [[Riyaz Naikoo]]
| term_start1 = 27 July 2017
| term_end1 = 24 May 2019
| predecessor1 = Merger with [[Al-Qaeda]]
| successor1 = Hameed Lelhari<ref name="indiatoday">{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/zakir-musa-successor-killed-awantipora-encounter-1612053-2019-10-23|title=J&K: Zakir Musa's successor killed in Awantipora encounter|website=India Today|author=Ashraf Wani|date=23 October 2019|access-date=19 December 2020}}</ref>
| birth_date = 25 July 1994<ref name="Tikoo Singh TOI">{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/from-engineering-student-to-militant-story-of-hizbul-militant-who-quit-outfit/articleshow/58664876.cms|title=From engineering dropout to militant: Story of Hizbul militant who quit outfit|author=Aarti Tikoo Singh|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=14 May 2017|access-date=14 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220522145334/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/from-engineering-dropout-to-militant-story-of-hizbul-terrorist-who-quit-outfit/articleshow/58664876.cms|archive-date=23 May 2022}}</ref>
| birth_name = Zakir Rashid Bhat
| birth_place = Noorpora, [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|J&K]], [[India]]
| death_date = 24 May 2019<ref name="Tikoo Singh TOI"/>
| death_place = [[Dadasara]], [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|J&K]], [[India]]
| blank1 = Religion
| data1 = [[File:Star and Crescent.svg|16px]] [[Islam]]
| blank2 = Denomination
| data2 = [[Sunni Islam|Sunni]]
| blank3 =
| data3 =
| blank4 = [[Religious movement|Movement]]
| data4 = [[Jamaat-e-Islami Kashmir]]
| death_cause = [[Encounter killing|Encounter]]
| native_name_lang = Zakir Musa<ref name="Tikoo Singh TOI"/>
| serviceyears = 2013–2019
| rank = [[Commander in chief]] [[Emir]] of [[Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind]]
| battles = *[[Kashmir conflict]]
*[[Kashmir Intifada]]
*[[Insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir]]{{KIA}}
| nationality = {{flagicon|India}} [[Indian nationality law|Indian]]
| citizenship = {{flagicon|India}} [[Indian passport|Indian]]
| serviceyears_label = Activity years
}}

'''Zakir Rashid Bhat''' (also known as '''Zakir Musa''') was an [[Islamist]], [[Insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir|Kashmiri-separatist]] militant who became the commander of [[Hizbul Mujahideen]] after the killing of [[Burhan Wani]] and [[Sabzar Bhat]], who were the former commanders of the same outfit. He later became the chief of [[Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind]].<ref name="bbc" /><ref name="Tikoo Singh TOI"/>

In 2017, Zakir Musa left from [[Hizbul Mujahideen]] and formed '''Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind''' in the [[Kashmir]] region. He was a close aide of [[Burhan Wani]] and [[Sabzar Bhat]]. Musa was one of the most wanted militant in [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Jammu and Kashmir]], India with a bounty of 1 million Indian rupees on his head announced by the [[Government of India]] in 2017. In November 2018, [[Indian Security Forces]] claimed that Musa appeared in Punjab. Then in December of the same year, the security forces claimed that Musa appeared in Punjab once again.

==Early life==
Zakir Rashid Bhat was born in Noorpora area of [[Tral]] in the [[Pulwama district]] of the [[Kashmir Valley]] of [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Jammu and Kashmir]], India. His father Abdul Rashid Bhat, a senior engineer working with the state government.<ref name="Tikoo Singh TOI"/> Musa studied at Noor Public School up to 10th, and then attended the government higher secondary institution in Noorpora where he passed his 12th in 2011.<ref name="Tikoo Singh TOI"/><ref name="named">{{cite news|date=27 July 2017|title=Al-Qaida-linked cell Ansar Ghazwat-Ul-Hind announces Zakir Musa as its chief in Kashmir|newspaper=Times of India|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/al-qaida-linked-cell-ansar-ghazwat-ul-hind-announces-zakir-musa-as-its-chief-in-kashmir/articleshow/59792567.cms}}</ref>

==Hizbul Mujahideen==
{{Main article|Hizbul Mujahideen}}

Musa joined the [[Hizbul Mujahideen]] in 2013 after leaving his studies of Bachelor of Technology.<ref name="Tikoo Singh TOI"/> He became the commander of the Hizbul Mujahideen after the death of [[Burhan Muzaffar Wani]]; discontent over Wani's death led to the [[2016 Kashmir unrest]].<ref name="named" /><ref name="Zee News">{{cite web|url=http://zeenews.india.com/jammu-and-kashmir/burhan-wanis-successor-zakir-musa-provokes-attacks-against-jk-police-calls-stone-pelters-soldiers-of-islam-1991755.html|title=Burhan Wani's successor, Zakir Musa, provoked attacks against J&K police, called stone-pelters soldiers of Islam|author=Zee Media Bureau|publisher=[[Zee News]]|date=1 April 2017}}</ref> In August 2016, Musa issued his first video in Kashmir.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.asianage.com/india/burhan-wani-successor-posts-video-seeks-support-kashmiris-938|title=Burhan Wani 'successor' posts video, seeks support of Kashmiris|date=18 August 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newsnation.in/article/143271-zakir-rashid-bhat-as-militant-burhan-wani-successor-in-kashmir.html?IND|title=Hizbul Mujahideen projects Zakir Rashid Bhat as mujahideen Burhan Wani's successor in Kashmir - News Nation|date=18 August 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-how-different-is-hizul-mujahideen-s-zakir-rashid-than-his-predecessor-burhan-wani-2246291|title=How different is Hizul Mujahideen's Zakir Rashid than his predecessor Burhan Wani ? - Latest News & Updates at Daily News & Analysis|date=18 August 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/180816/jk-22-year-old-frontline-militant-bhat-studied-civil-engineering.html|title=Hizbul Mujahideen projects Zakir Rashid Bhat as Wani's successor|date=18 August 2016}}</ref> He has been described as "part of a new generation of tech-savvy, well-educated terrorist" who became involved in the conflict after the [[2010 Kashmir unrest]].<ref name="hindustantimes.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/static/the-young-militants-of-kashmir/|title=Kashmir's disturbing new reality - the young militants of Kashmir}}</ref>

In 2017, Musa threatened to behead the [[Hurriyat]] leaders for calling the Kashmir conflict a political, rather than a religious, objective to establish Islamic rule; he warned them not to become a "thorn" in the imposition of [[Sharia]] in Kashmir. Hizbul Mujahideen immediately disassociated itself from Musa's statement, and Musa, in response, quit the organization.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thewire.in/135725/kashmir-hizbul-mujahideen-hurriyat-zakir-musa/|title=With Call For 'Islamic Rule', Zakir Musa May Have Signalled Ideological Split in Kashmir Terrorism|author=Zee Media Bureau|publisher=[[The Wire (Indian web publication)]]|date=15 May 2017}}</ref> In 2017, he left the group after it refused to back his public statements supporting his argument that the struggle in Kashmir was for Islam, and not for political purposes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.news18.com/news/india/after-his-beheading-warning-to-hurriyat-leaders-zakir-musa-quits-hizbul-1400563.html|title=Zakir Musa Quits Hizbul Mujahideen Day After Threatening To Kill Hurriyat Leaders|publisher=News 18}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/local-miliant-group-claims-it-informed-police-about-hizb-commander-sabzar-bhats-/299183 |magazine=[[Outlook (Indian magazine)|Outlook]] |title=Local Militant Group Claims It Informed Police About Hizb Commander Sabzar Bhat's Whereabout |date=2 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | newspaper=[[India Today]] | quote=Radio and mobile chatter intercepted by India's intelligence agencies reflect a high level of distrust between former Hizbul commander Zakir Musa and the terror outfit he had led till recently. In the aftermath of the encounter killing of Burhan Wani's successor, Sabzar Bhatt, Indian agencies have recorded multiple conversations where the Hizbul Mujahideen cadre can be heard discussing whether Zakir Musa betrayed Sabzar Bhatt. Hizbul terrorists seem to suspect that a personal messenger close to Musa tipped off the Jammu and Kashmir police about the location of Sabzar's hideout. Sabzar was killed in an encounter close to his hometown of Tral.|title=Was Sabzar Bhatt betrayed by boss Zakir Musa? Intel inputs suggest rift among Kashmiri terrorists | url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/sabzar-bhatt-zakir-musa-hizbul-burhan-wani-kashmir-militants-979938-2017-05-30| date=30 May 2017|access-date=5 July 2019|author=Rahul Kanwal}}</ref>

==Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind==
{{Main article|Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind}}

In July 2017, the [[Global Islamic Media Front]] claimed that Zakir Musa had been named the head of Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind, a newly created [[Clandestine cell system|cell]] of [[Al-Qaeda]]. After the killing of terrorist commander Abu Dujana and Arif Lelhari, a statement purported to be from Musa was released. The statement claimed that Dujana and Lelhari had joined [[Al-Qaeda]] and helped establish it. Officials stated that the voice of the message matched those of the earlier audio clips by Musa, though the state's [[Director General of Police|DGP]] [[Shesh Paul Vaid|S.P. Vaid]] stated there was no way of authenticating the clips even though there were reports that Dujana and Musa were close at the time. Meanwhile, an audio-clip circulated on media that claimed to be the last message from Dujana and Arif during their encounter. Two voices claim allegiance to [[Al-Qaeda]]; however, no gunfire is heard and the authenticity of the clip was not proven.

It was reported on 12 August 2017 that Musa and his aide evaded an Indian Army and JK Police operation when locals pelted security forces with stones in Noorpora village of [[Tral]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/zakir-musa-his-aide-give-slip-to-security-forces-in-noorpora-in-tralin-south-kashmir/articleshow/60026459.cms|title=J&K: Stone-pelters help cornered terrorist Zakir Musa flee|newspaper=Times of India|date=12 August 2017}}</ref> Allegedly according to Indian media In an audio message released on 31 August 2017, Musa attacked [[Pakistan]] for "betraying Kashmir jihad." He also stated that the objective of Al-Qaeda's Kashmir cell was to clear it from the Pakistan government, army and their sponsored agents. He also threatened to "liberate India" from the Hindus.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2017/sep/01/al-qaeda-kashmir-head-slams-pakistan-for-betraying-kashmir-jehad-warns-india-1651189--2.html|title=Al Qaeda Kashmir head slams Pakistan for betraying Kashmir 'jehad', warns India|first=Fayaz|last=Wani|newspaper=The New Indian Express|date=1 September 2017}}</ref> According to Indian media, Hizbul put up posters in [[Sopore]] in September 2017, which held him responsible for helping Indian security forces kill Kashmiris, asking people to chase him to death and also called him an "Indian agent."<ref name="Blames">{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/hizbul-blames-zakir-musa-for-helping-forces-kill-kashmiris/articleshow/60725318.cms|title=Hizbul blames Zakir Musa for 'helping forces kill Kashmiris'|first=M. Saleem|last=Pandit|newspaper=Times of India|date=18 September 2017}}</ref>

==Call for return of Kashmiri Pandits==
Musa, like his predecessor [[Burhan Wani]], asked the [[Kashmiri Pandit]]s to return to their homeland.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dailyo.in/politics/burhan-wani-syed-ali-shah-geelani-hizbul-mujahideen-jammu-and-kashmir-police/story/1/11394.html|title=Homecoming of Pandits in Kashmir's new age of militancy|website=www.dailyo.in|access-date=20 April 2020}}</ref> He stated during a video released after the killing of Burhan Wani in 2016, "We request Kashmiri Pandits to return to their homes. We take the responsibility of their protection."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/burhan-wani-s-successor-requests-kashmiri-pandits-to-return-assures-safety/story-Qhej9xMOJbjf8BSpizA49K.html|title=Burhan Wani's successor requests Kashmiri Pandits to return, assures safety|date=18 October 2016|website=Hindustan Times|language=en|access-date=20 April 2020}}</ref>

==Death and aftermath==
Zakir Musa was killed after an 11-hour long operation.<ref name="aljazeera.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/amp/news/2019/05/zakir-musa-tensions-kashmir-killing-top-rebel-190524092820067.html|title=Zakir Musa: Tensions in Kashmir after killing of top rebel|website=www.aljazeera.com|access-date=27 March 2020}}</ref> Musa was killed by security forces in an encounter at [[Dadasara]] village in [[Tral]] on 24 May 2019.<ref name=Death>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-48392851|title=Zakir Musa: India's 'most wanted' militant killed in Kashmir|work=BBC News|date=24 May 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/zakir-musa-jammu-and-kashmir-s-most-wanted-militant-killed-in-encounter-cops/story-ukTlrPOnEVzl9nddbJ99II.html|title=Zakir Musa, Jammu and Kashmir's most wanted militant, killed in encounter: Police
|newspaper=Hindustan Times|date=23 May 2019}}</ref>

In the aftermath of Zakir Musa's encounter, the government authorities snapped internet services in the entire [[Kashmir]] region. Curfew was imposed in all the major towns of the valley, including in the main city of [[Srinagar]], also schools and colleges were ordered to remain shut in some areas. <ref name="telegraph">{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/05/24/killing-wanted-al-qaeda-linked-kashmir-militant-sparks-protest/|newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|author=Ben Farmer|date=24 May 2019|access-date=4 July 2019|title=Killing of 'most wanted' al-Qaeda linked Kashmir militant sparks protest}}</ref><ref name="aljazeera.com"/>

At the time of his death, the ''[[BBC News]]'' described him as "India's most wanted militant".''<ref name="bbc">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-48392851|work=[[BBC News]]|date=24 May 2019|access-date=4 July 2019|title=Zakir Musa: Thousands mourn India's 'most wanted' militant}}</ref><ref name="telegraph" />

==See also==
* [[Afzal Guru]]
* [[Burhan Wani]]
* [[Ilyas Kashmiri]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{War on Terrorism|state=collapsed}}
{{Kashmir separatist movement}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bhat, Zakir Rashid}}
[[Category:2019 deaths]]
[[Category:1994 births]]
[[Category:Kashmiri people]]
[[Category:People from Pulwama district]]
[[Category:Kashmir separatist movement]]
[[Category:Kashmiri militants]]
[[Category:Indian Islamists]]
[[Category:Leaders of Islamic terror groups]]
[[Category:Kashmiri Islamists]]
[[Category:People shot dead by law enforcement officers in India]]

Zakir Rashid Bhat - Revision history

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