Taliban-Qaida link with LeT & Jaish a worry for India

By M H Ahssan

The emerging operational links between Qaida-Taliban and Pakistan’s Punjab-centric jihadi groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed are a serious concern for India, as these groups are beginning to use elements of Qaida’s strategic thinking and planning in terror attacks on the Indian mainland.

The “hand” of al-Qaida was detected in the Mumbai attacks, with regard to the direct and bold launch of marine jihadis and the targeting of a little-known Jewish enclave besides the high-profile Taj and Oberoi hotels. The Qaida link has not been established but 26/11 did mark a quantum jump in LeT’s tactics and objectives.

The attacks were a global debut for Lashkar, and security agencies have since followed the coalescing of the “Punjabi” groups with the al-Qaida, incorporated by way of satellite intercepts and onground intelligence. The Qaida core itself has shrunk but the expertise of its Egyptian leaders like Ayman Zawahiri has filtered through to jihadi groups, who now seem to be the sword arms of Osama bin Laden’s outfit.

Sources conversant with developments said that while the Taliban-Qaida was occupied with its current project to bring the Pakistani state to its knees and establish control over swathes of territory, it was a matter of time before India faced the full brunt of their ascendancy. As with their larger partners, Lashkar and Jaish agendas are hardly limited to Kashmir as they see India as part of a US-led axis.

Having identified India as a target will also mean Kashmir may come under added pressure as terrorists, who have chaffed over curbs imposed on border crossings by Pakistan army, press for increased freedom of action. They are strongly questioning the “double standards” of the army in not really opposing the Taliban while keeping their movements under check under US pressure.

The checks on jihadis operating in Kashmir have always been partial at best as the temperature in the Valley is carefully monitored by Pakistani agencies.

But electronic eavesdropping has repeatedly revealed impatience among jihadis waiting to cross over and unhappiness with their Pakistani handlers.

It is felt that the Pakistan army’s ambivalence over acting tough with Taliban will remain as it sees the jihadi force regaining control of Afghanistan soon enough and would not alienate long-term partners.