Lashkar-e-Islam

Lashkar-e-Islam (Urdu: لشكرِ اسلام), (LI or LeI) literally Army of Islam also transliterated as Lashkar-e-Islami, Lashkar-i-Islam) is a militant terrorist organization active in and around Khyber Agency, Federally Administered Tribal Areas, Pakistan. LeI was founded in 2004 by Mufti Munir Shakir. The most recent leader was Mangal Bagh. On 12 March 2015, Lashkar-e-Islam announced that it was joining Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan.[13] Pakistan banned the organization in June 2008.[14]

Lashkar-e-Islam
FounderMufti Munir Shakir
LeadersMufti Munir Shakir (2004–2006)
Mangal Bagh †[1][2](2006–2021)
Zala Khan Afridi[3](2021–present)
Dates of operationDecember 2004 – present
HeadquartersNangarhar[4][5]
IdeologyDeobandi Islamism
StatusDesignated as a terrorist organization by Pakistan[6]
Size500 (2016)[7]
Part of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (2015 – present)
Allies

Formerly:

Opponents
Battles and warsInsurgency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

War in Afghanistan

History

On 17 April 2008, Bagh claimed that LeI has over 180,000 volunteers in Khyber Agency.[15]

On 27 April 2008, it was reported that a "Lashkar-e-Islam" has changed its name to "Jaish-e-Islami". It is unclear whether this is the same group, or another which happened to use the same name. The reports stated that this LeI is located in Bajaur Agency, and at the time was headed by Wali Rehman.[16]

  • In October, a key commander of the militant group surrendered to security forces along with 80 of his men.[17]

During Operation Khyber-1 numerous militants had laid down their arms and surrendered to authorities.

  • On 10 November 2014, Official sources said that three key commanders of the group, newly appointed spokesman of the LI Saifullah Saif, Commander Ilyas and Commander Wajid, have announced that they were leaving the LI and have surrendered to authorities.[17]

Currently, Lashkar-e-Islam has its headquarters in Afghanistan. Senior Afghan analyst, Borhan Osman, said that the Afghanistan government support to Lashkar-e-Islam is an open secret. There are currently 500 members of Lashkar-e-Islam in Afghanistan. Residents of Achin District in Afghanistan report that the Afghan government is generously hosting Lashkar-e-Islam members. The members of groups are allowed to host their group's flag on their houses. Similarly, along with militants from groups like Tehrik-i-Taliban, members of Lashkar-e-Islam are also allowed freedom of movement in the province and treatment on government run hospitals in Afghanistan. Afghan intelligence agency, National Directorate of Security (NDS) wants them to fight against the Pakistani government.[7]

Leadership progression

Major attacks

On 17 March 2016 Lashkar-e-Islam claimed responsibility for a bomb blast on a bus taking government employees from remote villages to Peshawar Secretariat. The attack claimed 16 lives and left 53 injured.[20]

Recent focus on Lashkar-e-Islam
  • In 2022, LeI sent death threats to Kashmiri pandits in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir.[21]
  • In 2008, LeI sends threatening letters to industrialists in Khyber Agency[22]
  • In 2007, LeI clashes with Pakistani government troops in Khyber Agency[23]

See also

References
  1. "Mangal Bagh killed in Afghanistan". The News. 29 January 2021.
  2. "Pakistan's top fugitive militant commander killed in Afghanistan blast". The Express Tribune. 28 January 2021. Archived from the original on 28 January 2021. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  3. "Pak-based banned terror group Lashkar-e-Islam picks its new leader". The Economic Times.
  4. "Lashkar-e-Islam". Center for International Security and Cooperation (CISAC) – Stanford. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  5. "Pakistani Militant Leader Killed In Afghanistan". RFE/RL. 28 January 2021.
  6. "List of banned organisations in Pakistan". The Express Tribune. 24 October 2012. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
  7. Borhan Osman (27 July 2016). "The Islamic state in 'Khorasan': How it began and where it stands now in Nangarhar". Afghan Analyst Network. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
  8. "Pakistan hard-liners 'shot dead'". 23 April 2007.
  9. "TheNews e-paper [Beta Version]". Archived from the original on 21 April 2016.
  10. "Three key LI commanders lay down arms". 10 November 2014.
  11. "Pakistani splinter group rejoins Taliban amid fears of isolation". Reuters. 12 March 2015.
  12. "'Leave or face death': Terrorist group Lashkar-e-Islam threatens Kashmiri Pandits in Jammu & Kashmir's Pulwama".
  13. "Pakistani splinter group rejoins Taliban amid fears of isolation". Reuters. 12 March 2015. Retrieved 13 March 2015.
  14. "List of banned organisations in Pakistan". The Express Tribune. 24 October 2012. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
  15. Lashkar-e-Islam claims membership of 180,000 volunteers in Khyber Agency Archived 2011-06-09 at the Wayback Machine South Asian Terrorism Portal 18 April 2008
  16. Taliban group chooses new name Daily Times (Pakistan), 27 April 2008.
  17. Zahir Shah Sherazi (10 November 2014). "Three key LI commanders lay down arms". Dawn. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  18. Staff Report Khyber Agency given last chance to resolve Mufti issue Daily Times (Pakistan), 26 February 2006.
  19. Khyber Rifles takes up arms against Mufti and Pir Daily Times (Pakistan) 3 February 2007
  20. "16 killed govt employee bus blast". The News International. Archived from the original on 21 April 2016. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
  21. "'Leave or face death': Terrorist group Lashkar-e-Islam threatens Kashmiri Pandits in Jammu & Kashmir's Pulwama".
  22. "Unknown". Daily Times. Archived from the original on 14 June 2008. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
  23. "Pakistan hard-liners 'shot dead'". BBC News. 23 April 2007. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
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