Al-Qaeda sets up new outfit in Kashmir under Zakir Musa's aegis; govt ups vigil

New Delhi: The Union home ministry is keeping a close watch on the situation in Jammu and Kashmir following the announcement by terror organisation Al-Qaeda on setting up of a new outfit in Kashmir under the aegis of known militant Zakir Musa, an official said on Friday.

The official said that an assessment is being made by central security agencies about the possible law and order scenario in the Kashmir Valley following the terror group's announcement.

Musa recently left the Hizbul Mujahideen militant group after the terror outfit strongly condemned his threat to Hurriyat leaders. He later announced to float his new militant outfit and even professed his support to terror group Al-Qaeda. 

Musa was a close aide of top Kashmiri terrorist leader Burhan Wani, whose killing last year had triggered a series of attacks and massive protests against security forces in the Kashmir Valley.

His name had surfaced in 'jihadi' literature linked to al-Qaeda.