Lashkar-e-Islam (Urdu: لشكرِ اسلام), (LI or LeI) literally Army of Islam also transliterated as Lashkar-e-Islami, Lashkar-i-Islam) was 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. Pakistan banned the organization in June 2008
Contents
- Leadership progression
- Involvement In Kashmir
- Terrorist Attacks
- Recent focus on Lashkar e Islam
- References
On April 17, 2008, Bagh claimed that LeI has over 180,000 volunteers in Khyber Agency
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 headed by Wali Rehman.
During Operation Khyber-1 numerous militants had laid down their arms and surrendered to authorities.
Leadership progression
(The term "Lashkar-e-Islam" is very generic, but the following individuals have been cited in media as leaders of an organization by that name in Bara tehsil, Pakistan)
Involvement In Kashmir
In kashmir there is ongoing feud for supremacy between the Lashkar-e-Islam and the Hizbul Mujahideen. Abdul Qayoom Najar the leader of the LeI was originally a Hizbul militant. He joined the Hizbul a decade ago, but due to a falling out he decided to launch his own outfit knows as LEI. Najar decided to use the name of the defunct LeI to further operations in Kashmir.
Terrorist Attacks
On March 17,2016 Lashkar-e-Islam claims responsibility of bomb blast on bus taking government employees from remote villages to Peshawar Secretariat. The attack claimed 16 lives and left 53 injured.