Lashkar-e-Islam

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Lashkar-e-Islam (Urdu: لشكرِ اسلام), (LI or LeI) literally Army of Islam also transliterated as Lashkar-e-Islami, Lashkar-i-Islam) is an Jihadist organizationactive in and around Khyber Agency, Federally Administered Tribal Areas, Pakistan. LeI was founded in 2004 by Mufti Munir Shakir. Currently, the organization is headed by Mangal Bagh.

The Council on Foreign Relations lists LI as one of several FATA agencies composing the "Pakistani Taliban"[1].

On April 17, 2008, Bagh claimed that LeI has over 180,000 volunteers in Khyber Agency[2]

On April 27, 2008, it was reported that a "Lashkar-e-Islam" has changed its name to "Jaish-e-Islami". It is unclear whether this is the same group, or another which happened to use the same name. The reports stated that this LeI is located in Bajaur Agency, and headed by Wali Rehman.[3]

[edit] Leadership progression

(The term "Lashkar-e-Islam" is very generic, but the following individuals have been cited in media as leaders of an organization by that name in Bara tehsil, Pakistan)

  • 2004: founded by Mufti Munir Shakir
  • 2006: reportedly lead by Haji Taj Mohammed, "member of the Afridi Shura."[4] However, a report from earlier that month refers to Taj as only "a spokesman for the Mufti"[5]
  • Present: lead by Mangal Bagh

[edit] Recent focus on Lashkar-e-Islam

  • LeI sends threatening letters to industrialists in Khyber Agency [6]
  • LeI clashes with Pakistani government troops in Khyber Agency[7]
  • LeI compells the public administration of Khyber Agency to close its offices in Bara tehsil [8]

[edit] References