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{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2018}}
'''Darsgah-Jihad-O-Shahadat''' (literally '''The Centre for Jihad and Martyrdom''')<ref name=d /> is an Islamist group based in the southern [[India]]n city of [[Hyderabad]], with branches in the state of [[Kerala]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2000/jul/28isi.htm |title=George Iype reports on the ISI operations in South India |publisher=Rediff.com |date= |accessdate=2018-01-29}}</ref> The group claims to have trained about 50,000 people in self-defence techniques at its training camps in Hazrat Ujale Shah Idgah grounds at [[Saidabad]] and Purani Haveli.<ref name=c>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Post-blasts-spotlight-on-Darsgah-e-Jihad-o-Shahadat/articleshow/18651682.cms |title=Post blasts, spotlight on Darsgah-e-Jihad-o-Shahadat &#124; Hyderabad News - Times of India |publisher=Timesofindia.indiatimes.com |date=2013-02-24 |accessdate=2018-01-29}}</ref><ref name=b>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Indrasena-plotters-were-ex-members-DJS/articleshow/436045.cms |title=Indrasena plotters were ex-members: DJS &#124; Hyderabad News - Times of India |publisher=Timesofindia.indiatimes.com |date=2004-01-21 |accessdate=2018-01-29}}</ref>

The training camps were closed in 2013 after the death of Shaik Mahboob Ali and restarted in 2017.<ref name=s>{{cite web|author= |url=https://archive.siasat.com/news/hyderabad-djs-president-booked-provocative-speech-1183980/ |title=Hyderabad: DJS President booked for provocative speech &#124; The Siasat Daily |publisher=Archive.siasat.com |date=2017-05-14 |accessdate=2018-01-29}}</ref> Some of the former members of this group are accused of joining [[al-Qaeda]] and its affiliates and of involvement in multiple terror attacks across India.

== History ==
Founded on 4 December 1983 by Shaikh Mahboob Ali (d. 2011), the incumbent president of the group is Mohammed Abdul Majid.<ref name=c /> DJS is known to organise a rally on the anniversary of the [[Demolition of the Babri Masjid|Babri Masjid demolition]] on 6 December and the weekly ''[[Ijtema]]'' (religious preaching sessions) every Saturday at its headquarter in [[Moghalpura]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Why-terror-tag-on-Saidabad/articleshow/3803064.cms |title=Why terror tag on Saidabad &#124; Hyderabad News - Times of India |publisher=Timesofindia.indiatimes.com |date= |accessdate=2018-01-29}}</ref>

The group is described as an Islamist vigilante group and claims on its website of "protecting the life and properties of [the] Muslim community," "preserving the honour and chastity of women," and "Islamic supremacy is our goal."<ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-opinion/Behind-the-Mecca-Masjid-bombing/article14767294.ece |title=Behind the Mecca Masjid bombing - OPINION |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |date= |accessdate=2018-01-29}}</ref>

In 10 November 2012, police arrested eleven DJS activists including Majid for violence in [[Old City (Hyderabad, India)|Old City area of Hyderabad]] in connection with incidents of stone pelting and assault of policemen.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/11-Darsgah-Jihad-O-Shahadat-activists-arrested/articleshow/17162775.cms |title=11 Darsgah-Jihad-O-Shahadat activists arrested &#124; Hyderabad News - Times of India |publisher=Timesofindia.indiatimes.com |date=2012-11-10 |accessdate=2018-01-29}}</ref>

On 14 May 2017 Mohammed Abdul Majid was booked by the police for making provocative speeches during a martial arts training camp for Muslim youths.<ref name=s />

== Former members ==

* '''Syed Maqbool''' - former member of DJS is accused of being part of the [[Indian Mujahideen]]'s Hyderabad module involved in the [[2013 Hyderabad blasts|Dilsukhnagar bomb blasts]] of 21 February 2013 in which 17 people died.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/hyderabad-youth-helped-im-in-dilsukhnagar-blasts-nia/articleshow/56058818.cms |title=Dilsukhnagar: Hyderabad youth helped IM in Dilsukhnagar blasts: NIA &#124; Hyderabad News - Times of India |publisher=Timesofindia.indiatimes.com |date= |accessdate=2018-01-29}}</ref> Indian Mujahideen is a front of the banned [[Students Islamic Movement of India|SIMI]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/indian-mujahideen-declared-a-terrorist-organisation-419925 |title=Indian Mujahideen declared a terrorist organisation |publisher=Ndtv.com |date= |accessdate=2018-01-29}}</ref>
* '''Syed Zakir Raheem''' - former member of DJS and accused of being member of [[Jaish-e-Mohammed]] group and involvement in the failed assassination of [[BJP]] politicians [[Indrasena Reddy]] and [[Baddam Bal Reddy]] in 2004.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/crime/210117/hyderabad-man-in-bjp-leader-murder-plan-held.html |title=Hyderabad: Man in BJP leader murder plan held |publisher=Deccanchronicle.com |date= |accessdate=2018-01-29}}</ref>
* Mohammed Abdul Shahed also known as '''Shahed Bilal''' and '''Mohammed Abdul Shahid Bilal'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/shaheds-father-believes-hes-alive/articleshow/8474430.cms |title=Shahed's father believes he's alive &#124; Hyderabad News - Times of India |publisher=Timesofindia.indiatimes.com |date=2011-05-21 |accessdate=2018-01-29}}</ref> (d. 30 August 2007)<ref name=a>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/jun/03terror.htm |title=Terrorist Shahid Bilal dead: IB |publisher=Rediff.com |date= |accessdate=2018-01-29}}</ref> - [[Lashkar-e-Taiba]]'s south India chief and former chief of [[Harkat-ul-Jihad al-Islami]]’s Indian operations,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/mecca-masjid-blast-mastermind-dead/story-wLvs5MpH9ISTa1kqkvITAJ.html |title=Mecca Masjid blast mastermind dead |publisher=Hindustan Times |date= |accessdate=2018-01-29}}</ref> both [[al-Qaeda]] affiliates. Bilal and his associates were accused in the [[Mecca Masjid bombing|Mecca Masjid bomb blast]] of 2007, [[August 2007 Hyderabad bombings|Lumbini Amusement Park and Gokul Chat Bhandar bombings]] of 2007 and the [[2005 Begumpet suicide bombing]] at the STF headquarters. He was one of the accused in the smuggling of RDX into Hyderabad to create communal disturbances.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.arabnews.com/node/302856|title=Hyderabad Police Charge Shahid Bilal, 14 Others for Smuggling RDX|date=2 September 2007|website=Arabnews.com|accessdate=29 January 2018}}</ref> Reportedly killed by masked assassins of [[Rasool Khan Parti]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/aug/04bilal.htm |title=Why terror mastermind Shahid Bilal was killed |publisher=Rediff.com |date= |accessdate=2018-01-29}}</ref> in the port city of [[Karachi]] in Pakistan<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Key-HuJI-operative-held-in-Hyderabad/articleshow/5474620.cms |title=Key HuJI operative held in Hyderabad &#124; India News - Times of India |publisher=Timesofindia.indiatimes.com |date= |accessdate=2018-01-29}}</ref> but some suspect this to be a ruse to evade capture.<ref name=a />
* '''Mohammad Abdul Razzak''' - accused of being member of [[Harkat-ul-Mujahideen]] and then [[Lashkar-e-Taiba]] and fighting as a volunteer with Al-Qaeda-linked fighters in Afghanistan. During interrogation Razzak reportedly confessed to have accompanied a supply convoy meant for a [[Taliban]] unit in Spin Boldak, and training at a Taliban-run camp near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. Tasked to recruit Indian nationals in the [[UAE]] for [[Lashkar-e-Taiba]] he is said to have recruited Javed Sheikh<ref name=d>{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/Eyewitness-told-of-making-of-Al-Qaeda-Lashkar-alliance/article16497541.ece |title=Eyewitness told of making of Al-Qaeda-Lashkar alliance - Today's Paper |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |date= |accessdate=2018-01-29}}</ref> and sent him to jihad training camps run by the Lashkar military chief [[Muzammil Bhat]] — architect of the [[2008 Mumbai attacks|26/11 Mumbai attack]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/Javed-Sheikhrsquos-journey-to-death/article16886292.ece |title=Javed Sheikh’s journey to death |newspaper=The Hindu |date= |accessdate=2018-01-29}}</ref> [[Ishrat Jahan case|Javed Sheikh was one of the person killed in a February 2004 encounter]] with [[Gujarat Police]]. Razzak was a staff member of top Lashkar financier [[Arif Qasmani]] who is accused of bombing the New Delhi-Lahore [[2007 Samjhauta Express bombings|Samjhauta Express in 2007]] and was subsequently sanctioned by the United States Treasury Department.<ref>{{cite web|author=|url=https://www.treasury.gov/press-center/press-releases/Pages/tg192.aspx |title=Treasury Targets Al Qaida and Lashkar-E Tayyiba Networks in Pakistan |publisher=Treasury.gov |date=2017-02-13 |accessdate=2018-01-29}}</ref>
* '''[[Vikar Ahmed|Mohammed Viquar Ahmed]]''' also known as '''Vikaruddin Ahmed''' - founder of [[Tehreek-Ghalba-e-Islam]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Zakir-admits-to-providing-shelter-to-Viquar/articleshow/6435466.cms |title=Zakir admits to providing shelter to Viquar &#124; Hyderabad News - Times of India |publisher=Timesofindia.indiatimes.com |date= |accessdate=2018-01-29}}</ref> had his initial training with DJS.<ref name=c /> He was accused of killing two policemen, one in Hyderabad in 2009, and another in Maninagar in Gujarat. He was arrested in 2010 and shot dead in 2015 along with four of his associates in the Alair encounter.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/telangana-news/5-suspected-terrorists-killed-in-encounter-in-telangana-752853 |title=5 Suspected Terrorists Killed in Encounter in Telangana |publisher=Ndtv.com |date=2015-04-08 |accessdate=2018-01-29}}</ref>
* '''Ghulam Yazdani''' - owed his allegiance to DJS<ref name=c /> and was a member of [[Harkat-ul-Jihad al-Islami]] and was the leader of the Lashkar-e-Taiba's south Indian network.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/report/let/20060316.htm |title=The story of LeT's south India chief - Rediff.com India News |publisher=Rediff.com |date=2006-03-16 |accessdate=2018-01-29}}</ref> He was one of the main accused in the killing of former home minister of Gujarat [[Haren Pandya]], was suspected to be involved in the [[2005 Begumpet suicide bombing]] at the STF headquarters and the 21 November 2002 bombing near Saibaba temple in Dilsukhnagar in which ten people were injured when a powerful bomb planted in a scooter exploded.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-past-incidents-of-bomb-blast-in-hyderabad-1802742 |title=Past incidents of bomb blast in Hyderabad |publisher=Dnaindia.com |date= |accessdate=2018-01-29}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/2002/11/24/stories/2002112405500600.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030119033823/http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/2002/11/24/stories/2002112405500600.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2003-01-19 |title=Two Lashkar men planned more blasts |date=2002-11-24 |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |accessdate=2018-01-29}}</ref> He was accused in the conspiracy to bomb a Ganesh temple near Secunderabad railway station. Yazdani was arrested and imprisoned twice in 2000-01. He escaped while out on bail and was a fugitive. On 8 March 2006 he was shot dead in the Bawana encounter  with Delhi police.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-let-ultra-involved-in-varanasi-blasts-killed-in-encounter-1016895 |title=LeT ultra involved in Varanasi blasts killed in encounter |publisher=Dnaindia.com |date=2006-03-08 |accessdate=2018-01-29}}</ref>
* '''Mohammad Abdul Samad''' - [[Jeddah]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/jan/30vicky.htm |title=Motorcycle thief could help expose HuJI network |publisher=Rediff.com |date= |accessdate=2018-01-29}}</ref> based brother of Mohammed Abdul Shahed accused of recruiting people for attacks, reported killed in 30 August 2007 along with his brother,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/Inside-Abdul-Khwajarsquos-failed-war-against-India/article16462592.ece |title=Inside Abdul Khwaja’s failed war against India |newspaper=The Hindu |date= |accessdate=2018-01-29}}</ref> although his death is disputed by other members of his group.<ref name=a />

==See also==
* [[Deendar Anjuman]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Official website|http://djsindia.in/}}
{{SIMI}}

[[Category:Islamic terrorism in India]]
[[Category:Islamist groups]]
[[Category:1983 establishments in Andhra Pradesh]]
[[Category:Organisations based in Hyderabad, India]]
[[Category:Organizations established in 1983]]