Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri has announced in a video message the creation of an Indian branch of his militant group to “raise the flag of jihad” across South Asia, a media report said.

In the 55-minute video posted online, Zawahari pledged renewed loyalty to Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Omar, the BBC reported Wednesday.

Announcing the formation of “Al Qaeda in the Indian subcontinent”, Zawahiri spoke in both Arabic and Urdu languages.

“Al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent would be good news for Muslims in Burma, Bangladesh and in the Indian states of Assam, Gujarat and Jammu and Kashmir where they would be rescued from injustice and oppression,” Zawahiri added.

The home ministry Thursday asked the Intelligence Bureau (IB) to verify the Al Qaeda video which calls for “jihad” in the Indian subcontinent, sources said.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh held a meeting with the intelligence agencies over the issue. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval was present at the meeting.

Sources said an alert has been issued regarding the threat to all the states.

Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri has in a 55-minute video message announced the creation of an Indian branch of his militant group to “raise the flag of jihad” across South Asia.

In the video Zawahari announced the formation of “Al Qaeda in the Indian subcontinent”.