The Hindu: Published on 8th May 2025:
Why in News?
The issue has resurfaced globally following:
April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack (26 civilians killed), forensically linked to Pakistan-trained LeT operatives.
Increasing international scrutiny over Pakistan’s failure to dismantle its terror ecosystem despite repeated FATF warnings.
Recent UN Security Council questioning Pakistan’s nuclear and terror-related activities.
Ongoing resurgence of cross-border terrorism backed by Pakistan, particularly in Kashmir.
Historical Background
1979 Soviet-Afghan War: Turning point when Pakistan’s ISI, backed by CIA, began cultivating jihadi groups.
Creation of LeT (1990s) and JeM (2000) as state-backed proxies against India.
Pakistan’s 'strategic depth' doctrine included using terror groups as asymmetric tools in Kashmir and Afghanistan.
FATF grey-listings since 2008 show long-standing global concerns over Pakistan's terror finance systems.
Key Terror Groups and Structure
a. Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT)
Head: Hafiz Saeed (UN-designated terrorist).
Infrastructure: 200-acre HQ near Lahore; 300+ madrassas; 16+ training camps.
Major Attacks: 2008 Mumbai attacks, 2006 Mumbai train blasts.
Funding: ISI (~$25–50 million), Gulf donors, diaspora, and real estate.
Transnational Reach: Active in 21 countries, esp. Nepal and Bangladesh.
b. Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM)
Head: Masood Azhar (released after IC-814 hijack).
Ideology: Deobandi radicalism + suicide martyrdom.
Infrastructure: HQ in Bahawalpur, 11 camps incl. Balakot.
Major Attacks: 2001 Parliament, 2019 Pulwama.
Funding: Al-Rehmat Trust, ISI, local extortion, real estate ($30M+).
c. Haqqani Network
Functions as semi-autonomous ISI wing in Afghanistan.
Leader Sirajuddin Haqqani is Afghan Interior Minister, despite US bounty.
d. Islamic State – Khorasan (ISIS-K)
Splinter of TTP; operates in tribal belt; tacit support from Pak agencies.
e. Harakat-ul-Mujahideen (HuM)
Acts as recruitment pipeline to LeT and JeM from religious seminaries.
Role of Pakistani State:
ISI’s 'S-Wing' handles strategy and funding.
Retired military officials provide operational support and intelligence.
Material assistance includes safe havens, weapons, training, and passports.
Open admissions:
Pervez Musharraf: “We trained them for Kashmir.”
Nawaz Sharif: “We used them as tools.”
Bilawal Bhutto: “We did the West’s dirty work.”
Financial Ecosystem:
Religious charities/fronts: 40+ organisations raise $150–200 million annually.
State budgets: $100–125 million in classified military funding.
Money laundering & Hawala: Major hubs in Dubai, Karachi, and Peshawar.
Narcotics trade: ~$75 million annually.
Cryptocurrency (2023): $15+ million routed.
Radicalisation Infrastructure:
30,000+ madrassas; 10–15% linked to extremists.
Radical content in textbooks and religious discourse.
Recruitment focus: Poor, uneducated youth; high youth vulnerability.
Use of online media, apps, publications for jihadi indoctrination.
Evolution & Trends:
1990s: Kashmir-centric proxy war (LeT, HuM).
2000s: Rise of suicide terrorism (JeM).
Post-9/11: Greater sophistication & plausible deniability.
2021 Taliban takeover: Boost to training and infiltration.
2023-24: Joint ops between LeT, JeM, and Taliban-affiliates increase.
Global and Regional Implications:
India bears the brunt of terror attacks and proxy warfare.
Regional instability in South Asia — threat to Afghanistan, Bangladesh.
Undermines global counter-terrorism framework and rules-based order.
Potential risk of nuclear-terrorism nexus.
Destabilises UN, FATF, and international norms.
International Response:
FATF grey-listed Pakistan multiple times (2008–2022).
U.S., EU, India and other global powers demand verifiable dismantling.
UNSC, Interpol actively monitor Pakistan-based terror figures.
Recent sanctions, travel bans, asset freezes on key operatives.
Global frustration over Pakistan’s "good vs bad terrorist" doctrine.
Conclusion and Way Forward:
Pakistan’s terror infrastructure is not accidental — it is state-supported and institutionalised. This machinery has:
Survived for decades,
Evolved tactically,
Been financially robust, and
Continues to radicalise and mobilise at scale.
The world must:
Apply continuous diplomatic, economic, and military pressure,
Demand total dismantling of all terror ecosystems (not cosmetic rebranding),
Ensure accountability of Pakistani agencies, and
Bolster regional and global counter-terrorism cooperation.
