CHILDREN orphaned by the Kashmir earthquake are being âadoptedâ by terrorist groups that hope to train them to fight in the jihad, or holy war, writes Dean Nelson. Pakistanâs leading human rights organisation, the Ansar Burney Welfare Trust, said jihadi groups fighting the Indian government were taking orphans off the streets and putting them in training camps.The organisation said it also had evidence that sympathetic government officials were passing children on to the jihadis to be looked after.
The popularity of the Islamic militants has risen sharply since the earthquake struck on October 8, killing more than 87,000 people. The militants were among the first to arrive with aid at some of the worst affected villages. Their organisation and ability to commandeer lifting equipment and tents have generated significant new support. But according to human rights campaigners they are using their new popularity to smuggle weapons and recruit the young and vulnerable.
| Because the widows and orphans need new ammo. Their old ammo was buried in the quake. It's logical unless you're an infidel. |
Jamaat-ud Dawa, one of the largest jihadi groups in Pakistan, has called openly for orphans to be handed over for an âIslamic educationâ.
Pakistan moved quickly following the quake to ban adoptions after aid agencies warned of child trafficking.
Another hazard facing children is pneumonia, which is taking its toll among the 750,000 survivors living in tent camps. Action Against Hunger said it was now seeing one or two cases every day, and was aware of some children dying from the illness.
| Much more important to get new ammo to the orphans than to provide them with penicillin. Ev'yone knows that. |