MUZAFFARABAD: Upset by media reports linking a ‘militant commander’ from a tribal area with it, the largest fighter group in India-held Kashmir, Hizbul Mujahideen (HM), on Tuesday deplored what it termed an attempt to tarnish its image.

“Attempts to affiliate someone claiming responsibility for bomb blasts in Pakistan with Hizbul Mujahideen to dent its credibility are upsetting and painful,” said the group in a brief statement issued here, in a reference to Major Mast Gul, alias Haroon Khan.

An earlier statement of the group mentioned Mr Gul by name, while recalling that he had quit Hizbul Mujahideen before 2001. However, in a revised statement, his name was taken off.

A section of the media had introduced Mr Gul as a Hizbul Mujahideen commander after he resurfaced in Miramshah early this month.

The Kashmiri fighter group made it clear that it deemed any militant activity within Pakistan “nefarious and against the tenets of Islam”.

“Hizbul Mujahideen is an indigenous freedom fighter group of India-held Jammu and Kashmir and it is also a historical fact that the Kashmiris hold Pakistan dearer than their lives,” it said.

“Let it be clear that the leadership and cadres of Hizbul Mujahideen are fighting Indian occupation forces and their resistance movement is restricted to held Kashmir,” said the statement.

It paid tribute to the leadership and public of Pakistan for their deep concern and moral, diplomatic and political support for the cause of struggling Kashmiris. “Kashmiri people and fighters are also prayerful for the safety of the people of Pakistan and stability of their country.”