The US State Department recently revealed that it is becoming increasingly apparent that Lashkar-e-Taiba and Al-Qaeda have become affliated. Whilst Lashkar-e-Taiba have their roots based in the Kashmir conflict it seems that Al-Qaeda have begun to see the group as a means to achieve their worldwide terrorist goals. Following the 2001 American led invasion of Afghanistan, Al-Qaeda were forced to move their operations to Pakistan. The lawless tribal regions that border Afghanistan have become a safe haven for Al-Qaeda operatives and the Pakistani government, first under Mushareef and now under Asif Ali Zardari have begun to crack down heavily on Al-Qaeda presence in the area. Daily American drone attacks and Pakistani army incursions into the region have become costly to Al-Qaeda and in June of 2010 Mustafa abu Al-Yazid, head of the Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan, became the latest high profile casualty for the terrorist group.
It is quite possible that Al-Qaeda see Lashkar-e-Taiba as a means to divert Pakistani attention away from the tribal regions where they operate and instead to the border with India. An increase in attacks carried out by Lashkar-e-Taiba on Indian soil may very well provoke heightened tensions between India and Pakistan owing to the Kashmiri groups long standing affliation with the Pakistani Intelligence Agency, ISI. In such a scenario the Pakistan government would be forced to divert a large number of its troops and resources away from the Al-Qaeda stronghold in North West Pakistan and instead to the Indian border. In December 2001 a Lashkar-e-Taibia attack on the Indian parliament building had this very effect with both countries mobilizing hundreds of thousands of troops on their respective borders. Knowing this, it is quite possible that Al-Qaeda see Lashkar-e-Taibia as an important tool in allowing them to gain an even stronger foothold in Pakistan by turning Pakistan's attention elsewhere. Furthermore it is possible that Al-Qaeda see the escalation of tensions between Indian Hindus and Indian Muslims due to the activities of Lashkar-e-Taiba in the region as a way to increase recruitment for the jihadist cause amongst the 138 million members of the Indian Muslim population. It would seem that increased Lashkar-e-Taiba activity is in the direct interest of Al-Qaeda owing to these possible advantages.
What Al-Qaeda provide in return for the Lashkar-e-Taiba network is increased funding from their wealthy backers in the Gulf States and battle hardened jihadists who are willing to fight for the Kashmiri cause.
However, recent intelligence suggests that Lashkar-e-Taiba are becoming increasingly global in their goals with cells of the group having been discovered to be operating in areas such as Chechnya and Afghanistan. The possibility that in forming an alliance of mutual benefit, Lashkar-e-Taiba have been influenced by the Al-Qaeda ideology of global jihad is very real.
This is of course just my opinion what does everyone think?
It is quite possible that Al-Qaeda see Lashkar-e-Taiba as a means to divert Pakistani attention away from the tribal regions where they operate and instead to the border with India. An increase in attacks carried out by Lashkar-e-Taiba on Indian soil may very well provoke heightened tensions between India and Pakistan owing to the Kashmiri groups long standing affliation with the Pakistani Intelligence Agency, ISI. In such a scenario the Pakistan government would be forced to divert a large number of its troops and resources away from the Al-Qaeda stronghold in North West Pakistan and instead to the Indian border. In December 2001 a Lashkar-e-Taibia attack on the Indian parliament building had this very effect with both countries mobilizing hundreds of thousands of troops on their respective borders. Knowing this, it is quite possible that Al-Qaeda see Lashkar-e-Taibia as an important tool in allowing them to gain an even stronger foothold in Pakistan by turning Pakistan's attention elsewhere. Furthermore it is possible that Al-Qaeda see the escalation of tensions between Indian Hindus and Indian Muslims due to the activities of Lashkar-e-Taiba in the region as a way to increase recruitment for the jihadist cause amongst the 138 million members of the Indian Muslim population. It would seem that increased Lashkar-e-Taiba activity is in the direct interest of Al-Qaeda owing to these possible advantages.
What Al-Qaeda provide in return for the Lashkar-e-Taiba network is increased funding from their wealthy backers in the Gulf States and battle hardened jihadists who are willing to fight for the Kashmiri cause.
However, recent intelligence suggests that Lashkar-e-Taiba are becoming increasingly global in their goals with cells of the group having been discovered to be operating in areas such as Chechnya and Afghanistan. The possibility that in forming an alliance of mutual benefit, Lashkar-e-Taiba have been influenced by the Al-Qaeda ideology of global jihad is very real.
This is of course just my opinion what does everyone think?
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