Lashkar-e-Taiba, responsible for the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, is now making major changes within its organization. The terrorist organization is focusing on recruiting bright young people. Young fighters ...read more

Lashkar-e-Taiba, responsible for the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, which suffered a heavy defeat in Operation Sindoor, has pushed for major changes within the organization to mount a strong comeback. The terrorist organization is focusing on recruiting dynamic young recruits. Additionally, a strategy has been developed to radicalize young boys and girls from childhood by connecting them to the organization.

Since the organization's leadership passed from Hafiz Saeed to his son, Talha Saeed, there has been a strong focus on branding Lashkar. Hafiz Saeed is briefed on all activities, but Talha is the one making most of the decisions.

Lashkar-e-Taiba emphasizes recruiting youth and children

According to sources within the Intelligence Bureau (IB), India's intelligence agency, Talha is pushing for educated recruits to make the organization more lethal. Intelligence agencies have learned that Talha favors a larger white-collar cadre than traditional mujahideen.

Doctors, engineers, and teachers are being prioritized in this regard. The reasoning behind this is that an educated cadre will bring with them knowledge and new ideas. This thinking aligns with terrorist organizations like the Islamic State and Al Qaeda. Focusing on radicalization from childhood, Talha Saeed is placing a strong emphasis on inducting young children into the organization.

Strategy to recruit educated people into the organization

Talha believes that it is easier to radicalize boys and girls from a young age. Children will be taught the Quran for the first few years. After that, they will be radicalized and prepared for terrorist attacks through weapons training. Children entering the organization at a young age will be constantly monitored and assigned to different tasks based on their talents.

It will also be included in the political wing. Talha plans to create a student wing of Lashkar, which will facilitate infiltration into the country's universities and enable the establishment of an organization similar to Bangladesh's radical Jamaat-e-Islami in Pakistan.

Focus on online training and radical ideology

Talha has established numerous terrorist camps and focuses entirely on online training. Since Operation Sindoor, Lashkar-e-Taiba has deliberately stopped conducting classes in the open. The organization does not want the Indian armed forces to even notice its activities, so it has largely switched to online modules.

The power of internet media is being extensively used for LeT propaganda. Talha considers propaganda to be crucial and therefore emphasizes the widespread use of internet media.

He wants his organization to include only ideologically motivated individuals, not driven by money or other motives. Lashkar is also strengthening its political organization. In the process of building a strong terrorist group, Talha has also placed a strong emphasis on politics.

To this end, cadres affiliated with Lashkar-e-Taiba's political wing, the Pakistan Markazi Muslim League (PMML), are being strengthened. Talha strongly believes that the organization must also be politically strong and have public acceptance.

 PC:Jagran