Ex-Pakistan Cricketer Shoaib Akhtar Backs Ghazwa-E-Hind: 'We’ll First Capture Kashmir And Then Invade India'

Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has backed 'Ghazwa-e-Hind,' saying Muslims will capture Kashmir and then invade India.

An old video has gone viral on social media, where Akhtar is seen talking about 'Ghazwa-e-Hind.'

Ghazwa-e-Hind, which means 'Holy War Against India,' is a phrase that has been used by Pakistani militant leaders against India for decades. According to reports, the 'The ultimate conquest of India' would start from Syria with the forces carrying black flags marching toward India with an aim to conquer and convert it into an Islamic state.

However, scholars believe that the theory lacks credibility and is a made-up interpretation of a verse from the Quran.

In an interview with Samaa TV, the former Pakistan cricketer Akhtar said, "It is written in our scriptures that Ghazwa-e-Hind will take place, we will first capture Kashmir and then invade India from all sides. The river in Attock will be colored red twice with blood. Forces from Afghanistan will reach Attock. After those forces will rise from Shamal Mashriq, different contingents will arrive from Uzbekistan, etc. All of this refers to Khorasan, a historical region which extended till Lahore."

Shamal Mashriq is an Urdu reference for a region located to the north of the Arabian Peninsula.

In Arabic, Ghazwa means a war that is led by faith and not materialistic or territorial gains and is credited to Islamic concept derived from the Hadiths — a set of sayings by Prophet Mohammad. The phrase is used to refer to Muslim warriors conquering the Indian subcontinent, according to a report in The Print.

Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), a Pakistan-based terror group, uses the term Ghazwa regularly to recruit, get funds and justify its attacks on Indian soil, as per The Print. The groups like JeM have been pushing for Jihad against India by misguiding gullible youth, which is considered holy in Islam. It is believed that those who participate in it will be awarded direct entry into paradise.

Akhtar, who played 224 competitive matches for Pakistan, has a huge fan following in the Indian sub-continent, but his recent comments have left the cricket fans shocked and angry.