Who Are The Lashkar-e-Taiba

Lashkar-e-Taiba (LET), a Pakistani-based Islamic terrorist organization, seeks to drive out Indian security forces from the disputed Jammu and Kashmir regions of South Asia and establish an Islamic caliphate. Various intelligence services consider LET to be one of the most dangerous Islamic militant groups operating in Kashmir. Known for its expertise in suicide bombing and conventional assault tactics, LET has carried out many deadly attacks, including a raid on the Indian Parliament in 2002, which killed 14. Although the organization stopped claiming responsibility for attacks after it was ostensibly banned by Pakistan in 2002, Indian authorities have arrested many LET operatives in connection with attacks in the region.

The group was founded in the late 1980’s with the help of the Pakistani government (which also opposes the Indian presence in Kashmir) as the armed wing of the Markaz al-Dawa wa al-Irshad, an Islamic social welfare group. LET, which was also inspired by Osama bin Laden, continues to maintain close ties with Al Qaeda. Intelligence services have discovered that, before its camps were destroyed by the United States in 2001, Al Qaeda frequently hosted and trained LET operatives. Conversely, since the destruction of those camps, LET has hosted Al Qaeda trainees and other Islamic militants, including Shahzad Tanweer, one of the suicide bombers in the July 7, 2005 London Underground attack, according to British authorities. Additionally, senior Al Qaeda leaders, such as Abu Zubeida have been arrested at LET compounds.

Focus of Operations:

Pakistan, India, Jammu and Kashmir

Major Attacks:

* October 29, 2005: Three coordinated suicide bombs in New Delhi during Hindu festival of Diwali killed at least 63 and wounded over 200.
* August 25, 2003: Double bombing in Bombay (Mumbai) killed 52 and wounded 175.
* September 24, 2002: Raid on Akshardam Temple in Gujarat killed 28 Hindu worshippers.
* December 13, 2001: Raid on Indian Parliament killed at least 14.

Leaders:

* Leader: Hafiz Muhammad Saeed
* Leader: Maulana Abdul Wahid Kashmiri
* Co-Founder: Zaki ur Rehman Lakhwi a.k.a. Abdullah Azam

Ideology:
Militant Islamic Fundamentalism

Goals:
Establishment of Islamic rule over Jammu, Kashmir and eventually India

Methods:
Suicide bombings, paramilitary operations against civilian and military targets, mass-executions.

Sponsors:
Formerly Pakistan

U.S.-Related Activities:

* Designated by the U.S. as a Foreign Terrorist Organization.
* Several American citizens, including members of the so-called “Virginia Jihad Network,” were convicted of training at LET camps in Kashmir and Pakistan, as well as other related terrorism charges.
* LET operatives have reportedly been recruited for planned Al Qaeda attacks on American interests and the organization is believed to have operatives already in the U.S.