Meet the Lashkar super boss

Hafiz Mohammad Saeed, who lives near Islamabad in Pakistan and operates on both sides of Kashmir, is known amongst his men as 'Tayaji.' He is the Lashkar's super boss and a man of immense resources.

He openly works in the earthquake stricken areas of Pakistan occupied Kashmir and uses charity as a means to enhance his base.

In the matter of jihad in Kashmir he is ruthless and dangerous. His goal is to merge Jammu and Kashmir with Pakistan and his outfit is expanding vertically and horizontally.

Saeed decides how many mujahideen should be sent to the Kashmir valley. Lashkar recruits and trains more men than it actually requires in Kashmir at any given time.

Shabtai Shavit, former director general of Israel's external intelligence agency Mossad, spoke recently about the linkages between Al Qaeda and the Lashkar in the context of the international fight against terrorism.

Pakistan expert and rediff.com columnist B Raman, who keeps a close watch on the Lashkar, feels, "It is as dangerous as Al Qaeda."

"It is a pan-Islamic terrorist organisation, which is the most important member of the International Islamic Front after Al Qaeda. It describes J&K as the gateway to India and after 'liberating' J&K, it wants to 'liberate' Muslims in the rest of India," adds Raman.

"It is under close surveillance by Western countries and Australia," says Raman, who has served at India's external intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing. "Its involvement in the Delhi blasts, if proved, would be an indicator of its determination to spread jihadi activities in other parts of India."

Since 9/11, sleeper cells or secret members/associates of Lashkar have been detected in many countries including Australia, Singapore, the United States and France. The international intelligence and security communities have been taking increasing notice of its activities and its implications, Raman adds.

Image: The Lashkar-e-Tayiba's Command and Control structure

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Graphic: Uttam Ghosh