Al-Qaeda Seeks to Expand India Network Through Pan-Islamist Strategy, Splinter Groups

Al-Qaeda is seeking to expand its presence in India and the wider subcontinent by promoting a pan-Islamist approach, encouraging Bangladesh-based militant outfits to form splinter groups and building tactical relationships across sectarian lines, according to security officials.

The strategy is being pursued through Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS), which was launched in 2014 with a focus on India and neighbouring countries. However, its expansion plans initially faced stiff competition from the Islamic State (ISIS), which was then gaining prominence internationally.

Security analysts have observed a shift in AQIS’s approach, with the outfit increasingly advocating a broader ideological appeal that avoids openly opposing specific sects and sub-sects. Officials believe this could help Al-Qaeda attract more recruits and strengthen its regional network.

An official warned that the strategy was particularly concerning in the subcontinent, where AQIS had struggled to expand despite bringing together smaller jihadist groups from Bangladesh, Myanmar and India.

According to the official, Al-Qaeda is attempting to replicate its approach in parts of Africa, where it has built relationships with local groups by avoiding direct confrontation with particular sects and sub-sects.

“Al-Qaeda took a cue from the Islamic State, which committed the mistake of declaring war on every local sect and sub-sect,” an official said, adding that the Islamic State’s approach had contributed to its gradual decline as a dominant force in several parts of the world.

Al-Qaeda is currently focusing on militant organisations operating from Bangladesh, with Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) identified by officials as one of its principal allies.

JMB previously experienced a split after a faction aligned itself with the Islamic State, subsequently emerging as Neo-JMB.

Officials allege that Al-Qaeda has encouraged JMB to facilitate the formation of additional groups, including Imam Mahmuder Kafila (IMK), which has focused its activities in India.

The broader effort reportedly involves organisations such as JMB, Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT) and Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami Bangladesh (HuJI-B). Al-Qaeda is believed to want these groups to establish more splinter organisations while adhering to its ideological line.

An Intelligence Bureau official said the arrangement could benefit Al-Qaeda by allowing established groups to retain their manpower and operational capabilities while the international organisation provides ideological guidance.

“Further, the creation of these multiple splinter groups will confuse the Indian agencies, while also giving the parent groups the deniability factor,” the official said.

The official assessment is that this structure could complicate efforts by Indian security agencies to track links between the smaller groups and their parent organisations.

Officials also say Al-Qaeda is seeking safe havens in the subcontinent and maintaining tactical cooperation with Shia groups. Such relationships are reportedly intended to provide logistical support and improve the organisation’s ability to survive and operate in the region.

Al-Qaeda’s founder, Osama bin Laden, built the organisation’s doctrine around targeting what it called the “far enemy”, a reference to Western powers. The group is now seeking to adapt its approach in the subcontinent by encouraging allied organisations to broaden their appeal, officials said.

The strategy is intended to avoid the sectarian conflicts that, according to officials, weakened the Islamic State’s ability to maintain relationships with potential allies.

The Islamic State attracted international attention through its territorial expansion and extreme violence. It also drew interest among some Indians, with more than 20 youths from Kerala reportedly radicalised and persuaded to join the organisation in Afghanistan.

However, several Indians who travelled to join the group in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria later became disillusioned, according to the source material. Some reportedly complained of discrimination and being assigned menial work.

Officials believe Al-Qaeda hopes to avoid a similar loss of support by pursuing a more inclusive pan-Islamist approach and building relationships with groups that might otherwise remain outside its network.

India remains a central focus of the strategy, according to officials, who warn that efforts to establish new groups, strengthen existing alliances and secure operational support could complicate counterterrorism work across the subcontinent.