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 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 March 12, 2015, Lashkar-e-Islam announced that it was joining Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan.[2] Pakistan banned the organization in June 2008[3]

Lashkar-e-Islam
Active2004-Present
IdeologyIslamism
LeadersMangal Bagh
Size500 (2016)[1]
Part of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (2015-Present)
Allies Afghanistan[1]
Opponent(s) Pakistan‌
 United States
Battles and war(s)Insurgency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

History

On April 17, 2008, Bagh claimed that LeI has over 180,000 volunteers in Khyber Agency[4]

On April 27, 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.[5]

  • In October, a key commander of the militant group surrendered to security forces along with 80 of his men.[6]

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

  • On November 10, 2014, Official sources say 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 have surrendered to authorities.[6]

Currently, Lashkar-e-Islam has its headquarters in Afghanistan. Senior Afghan analyst, Borhan Osman, said that the Afghanistan government support to Lashkar-e-Islam and Mangal Bagh is an open secret. There are currently 500 members of Lashkar-e-Islam along with Mangal Bagh 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 movement in the province and treatment in government run hospitals in Afghanistan. Afghan intelligence agency, National Directorate of Security (NDS) wants them to fight against the Pakistani government.[1]

Leadership progression
  • 2004: founded by Mufti Munir Shakir
  • 2006: reportedly led by Haji Taj Mohammed, "member of the Afridi Shura."[7] However, a report from earlier that month refers to Taj as only "a spokesman for the Mufti"[8]
  • 2015: led by Mangal Bagh

Terrorist attacks

On March 17, 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.[9]

Recent focus on Lashkar-e-Islam
  • In 2008, LeI sends threatening letters to industrialists in Khyber Agency[10]
  • In 2007, LeI clashes with Pakistani government troops in Khyber Agency[11]

References
  1. Borhan Osman. "The Islamic state in 'Khorasan': How it began and where it stands now in Nangarhar". Afghan Analyst Network. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
  2. "Pakistani splinter group rejoins Taliban amid fears of isolation". Reuters. 12 March 2015. Retrieved 13 March 2015.
  3. "List of banned organisations in Pakistan". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
  4. 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
  5. Taliban group chooses new name Daily Times (Pakistan), 27 April 2008.
  6. Zahir Shah Sherazi. "Three key LI commanders lay down arms". Dawn. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  7. Staff Report Khyber Agency given last chance to resolve Mufti issue Daily Times (Pakistan), 26 February 2006.
  8. Khyber Rifles takes up arms against Mufti and Pir Daily Times (Pakistan) 3 February 2007
  9. "16 killed govt employee bus blast". The News International. Archived from the original on 21 April 2016. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
  10. "Unknown". Daily Times. Archived from the original on 14 June 2008. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
  11. "Pakistan hard-liners 'shot dead'". BBC News. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
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