DUDLEY KNOX LIBRARY
Naval Postgraduate School
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DUDLEY KNOX LIBRARY |
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Description
HUM is an Islamic militant group based in
Pakistan that operates primarily in Kashmir. Leader Fazlur Rehman Khalil
has been linked to Bin Ladin and signed his fatwa in February
1998 calling for attacks on US and Western interests. Operates terrorist
training camps in eastern Afghanistan and suffered casualties in the US
missile strikes on Bin Ladin-associated training camps in Khowst in
August 1998. Fazlur Rehman Khalil subsequently said that HUM would take
revenge on the United States.
Activities
Has conducted a number of operations against
Indian troops and civilian targets in Kashmir. Linked to the Kashmiri
militant group al-Faran that kidnapped five Western tourists in Kashmir
in July 1995; one was killed in August 1995, and the other four
reportedly were killed in December of the same year.
Strength
Has several thousand armed supporters located in
Azad Kashmir, Pakistan, and India's southern Kashmir and Doda regions.
Supporters are mostly Pakistanis and Kashmiris, and also include Afghans
and Arab veterans of the Afghan war. Uses light and heavy machineguns,
assault rifles, mortars, explosives, and rockets.
Location/Area of Operation
Based in Muzaffarabad, Pakistan,
but members conduct insurgent and terrorist activities primarily in
Kashmir. The HUM trains its militants in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
External Aid
Collects donations from Saudi Arabia and other
Persian Gulf and Islamic states and from Pakistanis and Kashmiris. The
source and amount of HUM's military funding are unknown.
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