Al-Madina is a little-known Kashmiri militant group responsible for several terrorist attacks in Indian-controlled Kashmir.  The group's goals, while unknown, are most likely Kashmiri accession to Pakistan and the withdrawal of all Indian forces from the region.  In addition, the group most probably seeks Islamic rule in the territory.  <P><br />Al-Madina's first reported attack occurred in June 2002, with subsequent attacks happening sporadically since that time.  The group's actions have thus far been centered on Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir.  Al-Madina's attacks have focused on disrupting the Indian Government's control in Jammu and Kashmir by targeting the Indian Army, police officers, and public officials.  These attacks are usually quick strikes that involve lobbing grenades or using small arms fire to inflict damage followed by a rapid retreat.  These smaller operations have not yet yielded large numbers of casualties or extensive property damage.  Larger operations have not taken place either for logistical, personnel-related, or strategic/tactical reasons.<P><br />Al-Madina is believed by most to be one of many fronts for the Pakistan-based militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).  Major militant groups in Pakistan often use aliases or change names, generally in response to government proscription.  Indian intelligence sources report that al-Madina, along with the groups Azam Jehad and al-Mansoorain, are local fronts for LeT, with each outfit's operations based in a certain geographic area.  In addition, several al-Madina attacks have been coordinated with other militant organizations such as Hizbul Mujahideen, Harakat-ul-Jihad-i-Islami, and al-Mansoorain.  However, linkages between Kashmiri groups have not been limited to simple coordination on terrorist attacks against Indian government targets.  <P><br />In May 2006. al-Madina was one of several militant groups to call for a ban on cable broadcasting in the Kashmir region.  In a joint statement, the groups threatened suicide attacks against television stations if broadcasts did not cease, and claimed that the programming was a "Zionist conspiracy... to dissuade Muslim youth from Islam."  Although many stations bowed to the threats, opposition and non-participation from many major militant groups such as Hizbul Mujahideen has muted much of the ban's impact.  <P> <br />Despite never publicly elucidating an ideology, al-Madina's participation in numerous attacks against Indian personnel are clear indicators of the group's adherence to radical Islamism and opposition to the Indian presence in the region.  <br />