How the Lashkar has overtaken Al Qaeda

Which is deadlier -- the Al Qaeda or the Lashkar-e-Tayiba? Post 9/11, the Al Qeda was considered to be the most dangerous terrorist organisation in the world. However, today, things have changed and it is official that the Lashkar is the deadliest terrorist organisation in the world.

Indian intelligence agencies told rediff.com that the Lashkar was growing in terms of funds and manpower, and today the Al Qaeda is living of the Lashkar. Intelligence Bureau sources say that the Inter Services Intelligence has played a major role in the growth of the Lashkar ever since the United States of America decided to wage a war against Al Qaeda.

The Lashkar was set up with an intention of fighting Indian forces in Kashmir. Their operations were largely restricted to Kashmir until the ISI instructed them to expand their tentacles and spread terror all over India.

While over the years the terrorist outfit grew in leaps and bounds, it was the 26/11 attacks at Mumbai which propelled them into a different league.

IB sources say that in the past decade, there have been at least 200,000 persons who have been trained by the Lashkar. Al Qaeda does not even have half this number, a clear indication that the Lashkar is way ahead.

In terms of modules, technology, funds and manpower, the Lashkar scores over Al Qaeda. IB sources say that as of today, the Al Qaeda has been pushed to a small corner of Afghanistan, but the Lashkar on the other hand has its modules world over. The alliances that the Lashkar has managed to forge have helped it to grow.

Apart from India and Paksitan, the Lashkar has set up modules in Kenya, Iraq, the Gulf, United States and United Kingdom -- a clear indication that it is all set to launch a global jihad. Al Qaeda, on the other hand, which had modules in all the above-mentioned places, has been pushed into Afghanistan alone. Today Al Qaeda operatives are fighting alongside the Taliban and their war is restricted to Afghanistan alone.

Experts point out that the Lashkar appears to be growing from strength to strength. There are specific instructions from the ISI to the Lashkar that they ought to be waging global jihad, and hence there is a complete change in the manner they have been carrying out their attacks. The future will see more attacks in which the Lashkar would target Westerners, so that they are able to make their point to the rest of the world.

Experts also point out that Al Qaeda was a force to reckon with till it enjoyed the blessings of the ISI. However, the moment America waged a war against this outfit, the ISI dropped the outfit and focused more on the Lashkar.

One of the most trusted cadres of the ISI, Ilyas Kashmiri (Harkat-ul-Jehadi Islami operational chief) who was with the Al Qaeda too fell out with the ISI due to this change in pattern. He was asked to fight alongside the Lashkar in Kashmir, but he refused, stating that his war was against America. However, they have managed to rope him in once again and this has only strengthened the Lashkar.

IB sources say after the Mumbai attacks, the Lashkar have changed their strategy and now prefer Indian-bred jihadis to wage a war within the country.

Zarar Shah, one of the men arrested in connection with the Mumbai attacks in Pakistan, stated during his interrogation that they had 300 targets in mind.

Interestingly, none of these targets are in India. The include targets in the US, UK and other parts of Europe. The arrest of LeT operative David Coleman Headley in US is another indication to show how serious the Lashkar is about waging global jihad.

IB sources say that the Lashkar is making desperate attempts to increase its strength worldwide. The Lashkar has been targetting India all these years, and it was the induction of Riazzuddin Nasir, which changed the outfit's perception.

He was picked up specifically to target the foreign tourists in Goa. IB sources say that the outfit wanted to make a statement there, but that plan fell flat following the arrest of Nasir. However, they managed to bounce back quickly and carried out the 26/11 attacks, which gave them attention the world over.

There is a dangerous precedent that has set in following the Mumbai attacks. Over 20,000 sympathisers of Al Qaeda have shifted loyalties to the Lashkar. IB sources say that the funding from rich businessmen in the Gulf nations have now been diverted towards the Lashkar, instead of Al Qaeda.

However, all this has not affected the relationship between Al Qaeda and the Lashkar. The two outfits continue to remain together, but it is just that the Lashkar has taken a lead role as of today.

In terms of technology too the Lashkar is way ahead of the Al Qaeda. They have been using various techniques to carry out terror attacks and sources say that they have the best equipment.

In fact, Lashkar is the only outfit which is capable of launching a biological attack and they have set up their labs for the purpose in Pakistan.

The interesting aspect is that their cadres are in possession of every possible army training manual of the countries they face a threat from.

When Nasir was picked up, some training manuals pertaining to the US marines were found with him.

Apart from this the Lashkar has been trying to get its hands on unmanned aircraft. There have been attempts by the ISI to ship it for the Lashkar, but there are no confirmed reports to suggest that they have managed to acquire the aircraft.

Off late there has also been movement of night vision glasses, bulletproof vests and wireless equipment and sophisticated weaponry to Lashkar camps, IB sources point out. While these are pretty common equipment, the fact that they have shipped it from the US is a clear indication of the outfit's reach.

The IB sources say that the heat is definitely on the Lashkar. The US managed to dry up the funds for Al Qaeda, but with the Lashkar it is not all that easy.

The interesting part is that despite the crackdowns on its fundraising activity, their attacks continue unabated, thanks to the large chain of charity organisations the outfit runs. The Lashkar has over 700 charity organisations worldwide, and this is the primary source of funds, which is being diverted to spreading global jihad.