Lashkar-e-Taiba of Pakistan: An India Centric Threat Projection

Saroj Kumar Rath

doi:10.15664/jtr.406

Abstract

<em>Within a year of the Mumbai attack by Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), the public outrage that many thought would usher in a political groundswell for a firmer government response, has dissipated. Almost all the political officials who resigned as a result of the attack either back in their old jobs or promoted to other plumb posts. After a brief hiatus, bombings by LeT and/or its affiliates resumed in cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Pune, Varanasi and Srinagar killing 56 people in mainland India and around 1000 in Jammu and Kashmir since Mumbai attack. India has done little of the painful public soul-searching that followed the September 11 attacks on the United States. After the Mumbai attack, while the US government has commissioned atleast a dozen of official studies on LeT, India government commissioned none. While the LeT is gradually growing from strength to strengh by encompassing the role of a political pressure group under the guise of Difa-e-Pakistan, India is blind to the danger unfolding in its western neighbour.</em>

Highlights

Within a year of the Mumbai attacks by Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), the public outrage that many thought would usher in a political groundswell for a firmer government response, has dissipated
The principal questions the article will take includes – What are the LeT’s objectives today, and how are they likely to be achieved? What role would the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) play in LeT’s future? How will the LeT work with other groups? And what is likely to be the international pressure on LeT? Answers to these questions are vital for the future security of South Asia
The aggression and commitment to jihad shown by the several splinter groups in Afghanistan influenced many committed fighters to leave Kashmir centric outfits and join the Taliban category outfits

Summary

Introduction

Within a year of the Mumbai attacks by Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), the public outrage that many thought would usher in a political groundswell for a firmer government response, has dissipated. Pakistan government has admitted the role of LeT and Pakistani citizen in the Mumbai attacks[4].

Results

Conclusion