Islamic Militant Groups in Pakistan: Kashmir & Beyond

This article is part of a series. You can see the first part here: Islamic Militant Groups in Pakistan: Are They All Taliban?

In Pakistan, there are many different Islamic fundamentalist militant groups. Many of them are connected, but not all of the jihadis (freedom fighters) claim allegiance to the same leaders or causes. In the first article, we looked at the beginnings of the Taliban in both Pakistan and Afghanistan. We also looked at the current occupation of the Swat Valley but the Tehrik-e-Nifaz-e-Shariah (TNSM). Now let's look at some of the other militant groups in Pakistan.

The Origins of the Kashmir Problem

Ever since Pakistan's inception, ethnic Pashtun tribesmen have been involved in a struggle to make Kashmir part of the country. The Kashmir crisis started when the Mir of Kashmir refused to make a choice to go with either India or Pakistan at the 1947 partition. He fiercely held on to the dream of an independent Kashmir, but when Pashtun tribesmen started advancing on the majority Muslim state (at the behest of the newly formed Pakistani government), its Hindu ruler called the Indian government for help. Hence the crisis was born.

Hizbul Mujahideen (HuM) - Syed Salahuddin

The HuM is known of as the mother militancy in Jammu-Kashmir. It's main goal is to see Kashmir officially become part of Pakistan. It's leader, Syed Salahuddin, is rumored to live in a nice house in Pakistan's capital, Islamabad. The group has connections with the Afghan Taliban under Mullah Omar. The HuM is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, India and the European Union.

Jamiat-ul-Ansar (JuA) - Maulana Fazalur Rehman

Having connections to the infamous Osama Bin Laden as well as sponsorship from Pakistani intelligence agency the ISI, the JuA has lauched jihads in both Kashmir and in Afghanistan. They have a pan-Islamic vision and share the HuM's goal of making Kashmir part of the Islamic nation of Pakistan. They target U.S. interests and provide training for future militants.

Lashkar-e-Taliba (LeT) - Prof. Hafiz M. Saeed

The LeT's goal is the more lofty desire for the 'purification of society.' They have fought against the Soviets in Afghanistan and have also launched campaigns in Kashmir. It is the LeT who is credited with the Mumbai attacks in November 2008 and the attack on the Sri Lanka Cricket Team in Lahore in March 2009.

Harkat-ul-Jehadul Islami (HUJI) - Qari Saifullah Akhtar

It's interesting that in Urdu, "huji" means "to shake." This group traces its origins to 1984 when it was formed to oust the Soviets from Afghanistan. It then extended its operations to Kashmir and even Bangladesh. Former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto accused this group of the October 18, 2007 attack on her convoy in Karachi, and it is believed that the HUJI planned and executed the suicide attacks on then President Musharraf. HUJI has also claimed responsibility for the 2008 Marriot Hotel bombing in Islamabad.

Lashkar-e-Jhangvi - Haq Nawaz Jhangvi

"Lashkar" means "militia, and this group is like the others mentioned in that it is made up of mujahideen who fought together in Afghanistan. They now target U.S. interests, foreigners and Shias. Lashkar-e-Jhangvi has been credited with large scale suicide attacks, the kidnap and killing of journalist Daniel Pearl, and the assassination of Benazir Bhutto. Their agenda is anti-Western and anti-Shia activities.

Many of these group may have connections with the Taliban, but they are not fighting under their banner so to say. They each have their own agendas and activities that are not necessary connected to the Pakistani or Afghan Taliban. Some are focused primarily on Kashmir, while others hold to a large pan-Islamic/anti-Western agenda.

To read more about the Taliban and related groups, go here:

Islamic Militant Groups in Pakistan: Are They All Taliban?

Sources:

Interview with army officer in Pakistan

Lashkar-e-Jhangvi

Lapierre, Dominque & Larry Collins. Freedom at Midnight.1975.

Mir, Amir. "The Swelling Force of Extremism." The News. March 21, 2009.

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