Abstract
This paper explores Pakistani public support for the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT,also known as Jamaat ul Dawa, or JuD), which is one of the most competent and lethal Pakistan — based and — backed militant groups operating in India and elsewhere in South Asia. Contrary to common perceptions that Islamist militant groups are inherently revolutionary, this study, using data from a country-wide survey of 7, 653 Pakistanis carried out in 2013, argues form a social psychology perspective that the sense of significance that a violent extremist group may bestow on its in-group members is the essential factor in conditioning sympathy and support for that group. We posit that the LeT, a Salafi group based in Punjab, is most likely to be supported by Salafis and Punjabis as these are the societal groups most likely to believe that the LeT accords them significance. By analyzing data from a novel dataset derived from a nationally-representative survey of Pakistanis, we find strong support for these contentions.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
