Armed terror groups backed by Pakistan

NEW DELHI: Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, Hizbul Mujahideen, TRF… Several armed terrorist organisations have flourished with Pakistan’s backing, actively operating against India. Pakistan not only provides an environment conducive to their growth but also offers financial and logistical support. The Pakistani military encourages terrorism by treating India as a hostile state. India has repeatedly issued warnings against this, but Pakistan has consistently ignored them.

The Resistance Front (TRF)
A terrorist organisation that emerged in 2019 following the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. It claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam terror attack. TRF grew as a shadow outfit of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba. Members include individuals from various other militant groups. Sheikh Sajjad Gul, the group’s commander, was declared a most-wanted terrorist by India, and the organisation was banned.

Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT)
A terrorist group demanding the "liberation" of Indian-administered Kashmir. It was founded in 1990 by the notorious Hafiz Muhammad Saeed. Lashkar-e-Taiba was behind the 2008 Mumbai attacks, the 2001 Indian Parliament attack, and the 2006 Mumbai train bombings. As part of Operation Sindoor, the Indian Army destroyed LeT’s Markaz Taiaba camp in Muridke.

Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM)
Formed in 2000 by Masood Azhar, who was released from an Indian jail in 1999. On May 1, 2019, the UN Security Council designated him a global terrorist. Through Operation Sindoor, India killed several JeM terrorists, including relatives of Masood Azhar. The group has led numerous major attacks, including the 2001 Indian Parliament attack, the 2016 Pathankot attack, and the 2019 Pulwama bombing.

Azhar was arrested twice by Pakistan but was released both times.

Hizbul Mujahideen
Founded in 1989 by Kashmiri separatist leader Muhammad Ahsan Dar, the group emerged from the 1988 protests in Kashmir against the Indian government. It is the largest indigenous militant group in Kashmir.