Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) is a militant organization associated with the armed insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir. It was formed in 1989 and has been one of the longest-running militant groups associated with the Kashmir conflict. The Government of India lists Hizb-Ul-Mujahideen/Hizb-Ul-Mujahideen Pir Panjal Regiment as a designated terrorist organization under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA).
The organization is also designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) by the United States, a designation made on August 17, 2017. Its senior leader has been identified by the U.S. State Department as Mohammad Yusuf Shah, also known as Syed Salahuddin.
This article explains the history, objectives, leadership, designations and significance of Hizbul Mujahideen for students preparing for competitive examinations and for readers looking for a factual overview.
What is Hizbul Mujahideen?
Hizbul Mujahideen, also written as Hizb-ul-Mujahideen or abbreviated as HM, is a militant organization that emerged in Jammu and Kashmir in 1989.
The organization has been associated with the armed insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir and has carried out or claimed responsibility for attacks in the region. According to the U.S. State Department, HM has primarily targeted Indian security forces and political figures in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Government of India currently includes Hizb-Ul-Mujahideen/Hizb-Ul-Mujahideen Pir Panjal Regiment in its list of organizations designated as terrorist organizations under Section 35 of the UAPA.
Quick Facts About Hizbul Mujahideen
| Information | Details |
| Full/commonly used name | Hizbul Mujahideen |
| Other name | Hizb-ul-Mujahideen |
| Abbreviation | HM |
| Formation | 1989 |
| Main area of activity | Jammu and Kashmir |
| Associated with | Kashmir insurgency |
| India’s legal designation | Designated terrorist organization under UAPA |
| U.S. designation | Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) |
| Senior leader identified by U.S. authorities | Mohammad Yusuf Shah (Syed Salahuddin) |
| FTO designation by U.S. | August 17, 2017 |
When was Hizbul Mujahideen formed?
Hizbul Mujahideen was formed in 1989, during the period when an armed insurgency was emerging in Jammu and Kashmir.
The U.S. State Department describes HM as one of the largest and oldest militant groups operating in the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
Its emergence therefore needs to be understood in the broader context of the Kashmir insurgency that developed from the late 1980s onward.
What is the objective of Hizbul Mujahideen?
According to U.S. government reports, Hizbul Mujahideen has officially supported the separation of Jammu and Kashmir from Indian control and its accession to Pakistan. The same reports note that some cadres have supported independence instead.
The organization’s political position should therefore be distinguished from the broader range of political views held by people in Jammu and Kashmir.
More importantly for understanding its legal status, Hizbul Mujahideen has been treated by India and the United States as a terrorist organization because of its involvement in armed violence.
Who is the leader of Hizbul Mujahideen?
Mohammad Yusuf Shah, also known as Syed Salahuddin, is the most prominent leader associated with Hizbul Mujahideen.
The U.S. State Department identified Mohammad Yusuf Shah as a senior leader of Hizbul Mujahideen when it designated him as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) on June 26, 2017.
The Government of India’s Ministry of Home Affairs also lists Syed Mohammad Yusuf Shah @ Syed Salahudeen among the individuals designated as terrorists under the UAPA.
Who is Syed Salahuddin?
Syed Salahuddin is the alias used by Mohammad Yusuf Shah. He has been closely associated with Hizbul Mujahideen’s leadership and with the broader separatist movement connected to the Kashmir conflict.
In 2017, the U.S. State Department designated him as an SDGT and described him as a senior leader of Hizbul Mujahideen.
Is Hizbul Mujahideen banned in India?
Yes. Hizbul Mujahideen is included in India’s official list of terrorist organizations under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.
The Ministry of Home Affairs lists the organization as:
Hizb-Ul-Mujahideen/Hizb-Ul-Mujahideen Pir Panjal Regiment
in its list of organizations designated as terrorist organizations under Section 35 of the UAPA.
This designation means that the organization is subject to India’s counter-terrorism laws and related legal restrictions.
When did the United States designate Hizbul Mujahideen as a terrorist organization?
The United States designated Hizbul Mujahideen as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) on August 17, 2017.
The designation followed the U.S. government’s earlier designation of Mohammad Yusuf Shah, also known as Syed Salahuddin, as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist in June 2017.
U.S. designations related to Hizbul Mujahideen
| Date | Development |
| June 26, 2017 | Mohammad Yusuf Shah (Syed Salahuddin) designated as an SDGT by the U.S. |
| August 17, 2017 | Hizbul Mujahideen designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the U.S. |
These are separate designations: one concerns an individual and the other concerns the organization.
What activities has Hizbul Mujahideen been associated with?
Hizbul Mujahideen has been associated with armed attacks in Jammu and Kashmir.
U.S. government terrorism reports state that the group has claimed responsibility for, or has been linked to, several attacks in the region. These reports include attacks against security personnel and political figures as well as other acts of violence.
For an exam-oriented understanding, it is important not to confuse Hizbul Mujahideen with every militant organization active in Jammu and Kashmir. Several different organizations have operated in the region, including Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed.
Hizbul Mujahideen and the Kashmir conflict
Hizbul Mujahideen emerged during a major period of political and armed conflict in Jammu and Kashmir.
The wider Kashmir conflict has historical roots extending back to the Partition of British India in 1947. The armed insurgency in Indian-administered Kashmir intensified in the late 1980s, and multiple militant organizations subsequently became involved.
Hizbul Mujahideen became one of the significant militant organizations associated with this insurgency.
Therefore, when studying Hizbul Mujahideen, students should understand two related but distinct subjects:
- The broader Kashmir dispute and insurgency
- The specific history and activities of Hizbul Mujahideen
Treating the two as exactly the same would oversimplify the historical context.
Hizbul Mujahideen vs. Lashkar-e-Taiba
Hizbul Mujahideen and Lashkar-e-Taiba are separate organizations, although both have been associated with militancy in Jammu and Kashmir.
| Feature | Hizbul Mujahideen | Lashkar-e-Taiba |
| Common abbreviation | HM | LeT |
| Formation | 1989 | Different historical origins |
| Primary association | Kashmir insurgency | Militancy including activity related to Kashmir |
| Legal status in India | Designated terrorist organization | Designated terrorist organization |
| U.S. terrorist designation | FTO | FTO |
| Same organization? | No | No |
The two organizations should therefore not be used interchangeably in exam answers.
Why is Hizbul Mujahideen important for competitive exams?
Hizbul Mujahideen can be relevant to questions involving:
- Indian internal security
- Terrorism and counter-terrorism
- Jammu and Kashmir
- Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act
- India’s list of designated terrorist organizations
- International terrorist designations
- Kashmir insurgency
- India-U.S. counter-terrorism cooperation
- Current affairs related to national security
For competitive examinations, students should focus particularly on formation year, legal designation, major leader, geographical association and important international designations.
Important points for revision
- Hizbul Mujahideen was formed in 1989.
- It is associated with the armed insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir.
- Mohammad Yusuf Shah, also known as Syed Salahuddin, is its most prominent identified leader.
- India lists Hizb-Ul-Mujahideen as a designated terrorist organization under the UAPA.
- The United States designated Hizbul Mujahideen as an FTO on August 17, 2017.
- The U.S. designated Syed Salahuddin as an SDGT on June 26, 2017.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hizbul Mujahideen?
Hizbul Mujahideen is a militant organization formed in 1989 and associated with the armed insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir. India designates it as a terrorist organization under the UAPA.
When was Hizbul Mujahideen formed?
Hizbul Mujahideen was formed in 1989.
Who is the leader of Hizbul Mujahideen?
Mohammad Yusuf Shah, also known as Syed Salahuddin, is the prominent senior leader associated with Hizbul Mujahideen.
Is Hizbul Mujahideen banned in India?
Yes. The Government of India lists Hizb-Ul-Mujahideen/Hizb-Ul-Mujahideen Pir Panjal Regiment as a terrorist organization under Section 35 of the UAPA.
When did the U.S. designate Hizbul Mujahideen as an FTO?
The United States designated Hizbul Mujahideen as a Foreign Terrorist Organization on August 17, 2017.
What is the connection between Hizbul Mujahideen and Kashmir?
Hizbul Mujahideen emerged in 1989 and became associated with the armed insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir. U.S. government reports describe the organization as operating primarily in the region.
Is Hizbul Mujahideen the same as Lashkar-e-Taiba?
No. They are separate organizations, although both have been associated with militancy in Jammu and Kashmir.
Conclusion
Hizbul Mujahideen is a militant organization formed in 1989 and associated with the armed insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir. It is designated as a terrorist organization by the Government of India under the UAPA and as a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the United States.
For competitive-exam preparation, the most important facts to remember are its 1989 formation, association with Jammu and Kashmir, connection with Syed Salahuddin, India’s UAPA designation and the U.S. FTO designation in 2017.
