LASHKAR-I-TAIBA: THE FALLACY OF SUBSERVIENT PROXIES AND THE FUTURE OF ISLAMIST TERRORISM IN INDIA

This work provides a discussion of the foundation
of Lashkar-i-Taiba (LeT) and the development of its
modus operandi, and it engages in an investigation of LeT
activities in India, Pakistan, and the Kashmir region.
Further, LeT fundraising methods are touched upon
and LeT relationships with regional state and nonstate
actors such as Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence
(ISI) and Dawood Ibrahim’s D-Company are analyzed.
Also, the impact that these developments have on
domestic Islamist terrorism in India are addressed.
This work argues that although LeT has been a
vital component of Islamabad’s regional strategy in
the past, the organization has grown beyond the
control of its former patron, is largely self-sufficient,
operating independently of the political process, and
has expanded its agenda well beyond Kashmir. These
developments challenge the long-held notion that
irregulars can be sustainably used to achieve limited
objectives in an asymmetric conflict and should serve
as a clear warning to other state sponsors of terrorism.
However, contrary to many analyses, LeT is not likely
to sacrifice its independence and come under al-
Qaeda’s umbrella. Rather, LeT will continue to evolve
into a distinctive, South Asia-centric terrorist actor in its
own right while still receiving aid from fringe elements
in Pakistan’s security and intelligence apparatus and
elsewhere. This will not only allow LeT to continue
to plan future Mumbai-style terrorist attacks in India
from safe havens in Pakistan, but will also allow LeT to
guide and assist the predominantly indigenous Indian
Mujahideen.