Radikal islamisme i Pakistan og Kashmir - fra lokal til global jihad

Abstract

This study surveys the different radical Islamic groups operating in the Pakistani/Kashmiri geographical context. It aims at providing an overview of the groups themselves and the historical and political context in which they have come into being. By looking at the historical and political climate in which these groups have developed the study looks at the groups and their infrastructure, and questions to what degree the groups have moved from a local to a more global agenda. The Kashmiri conflict offers a case study in which there seem to be clear indications that foreign (both Pakistani and global jihadists) involvement has changed the focus away from the initial independence struggle. In the Pakistani context, the study looks at the various shia- and sunni sectarian groups, as well as the radical Islamic groups that have come to be more active in the recent few years. A more extreme climate can be seen arguably due to two factors: Firstly the international influence of foreign fighters due to Pakistan in many ways being the back-yard to the Afghani Jihad and the resulting influence on the country. Secondly, a historically lenient attitude of different Pakistani governments has meant that a number of radical Islamist groups have flourished. The influence of foreign elements on these groups can be seen with regards to membership, weapons, tactics and ideology. A main argument of the study is therefore that the groups have become more global, but it is the local, political context and climate that has made this shift possible.