Paper
Ashley J. Tellis
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Source: Getty
Testimony
Bad Company—Lashkar e-Tayyiba and the Growing Ambition of Islamist Militancy in Pakistan
Continued Pakistani support for the terrorist group Lashkar e-Tayyiba (LeT) threatens to undermine the delicate peace between nuclear-armed neighbors India and Pakistan and plunge the region into conflict, with significant consequences for American interests abroad.
Published on Mar 11, 2010
Source: House Committee on Foreign Affairs
The Situation on the Ground in Pakistan:
- LeT is—with the exception of al-Qaeda—arguably the most important terrorist group operating from South Asia and was the mastermind of the November 2008 Mumbai attacks. It remains the spearhead of the Pakistani military’s campaign against India.
- LeT remains primarily Pakistani in its composition, uses Pakistani territory as its main base of operation, and continues to be supported extensively by the Pakistani state, especially the Army and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).
- LeT’s capability to conduct terrorism multinationally has increased: it does not need constant operational support from the ISI to be effective.
- LeT’s ambitions extend beyond India. The organization’s close ties with al-Qaeda in Pakistan and its support for the Afghan Taliban’s military operations pose a direct threat to U.S. citizens, soldiers, and interests.
U.S. Policy Recommendations:
- Be candid about Pakistan’s role: The United States should stop pretending that LeT is an independent actor. Candid recognition that the organization receives protection and support from Pakistan would go a long way toward solving the problem.
- Partner together with India on joint counterterrorism operations: Since the attack on Mumbai in 2008, the United States and India have successfully partnered together on matters of intelligence and counterterrorism. This cooperation should expand further.
- Be prepared to take action if Pakistan is unable or unwilling: If Pakistan cannot or will not take decisive action against LeT, then the United States and its allies should be prepared to act in its place. Doing so may be increasingly necessary not simply to prevent a future Indo-Pakistani crisis, but more importantly to protect the United States, its citizens, its interests, and its allies.
About the Author
Ashley J. Tellis
Former Senior Fellow
Ashley J. Tellis was a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
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Recent Work
Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.
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