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| India-Pakistan |
| Lashkar i-Jhangvi factions set to regroup |
| 2003-03-25 |
| The splinter groups of the defunct Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LJ) look set to merge once again, presenting a far greater threat than ever before to sectarian harmony in the country, sources have said. Sources said attempts were being made to merge the 'Usman Chacha' and 'Qari' groups of the LJ so that both could manage joint operations. Earlier, there were some differences between these groups on certain issues which had led to them parting ways and carrying out separate operations. The LJ, a group of Sunni militants which was banned on August 14, 2001 by a presidential order, split into two groups in February 2002. Cleared up that problem, didn't it? Qari Abdul Hai was not satisfied with LJ founder Riaz Basra's policies and, after a dispute on the embezzlement of funds by Riaz Basra, Qari Hai and Asif Ramzi formed their own groups, sources added. Embezzling funds? Oh, c'mon...! A dispute surrounded Basra's efforts to take the group away from purely sectarian violence to participation also in other terrorist actions, in some cases apparently linked to Al Qaida opertions. Other members of the LJ believed its main purpose was to "eradicate Shias" and sources linked to the group say they saw Basra's efforts as a way to "sidetrack militants from this noble cause". "I mean, there ain't no higher calling than slaughtering Shias. The other infidels can wait 'til later..." Basra met Al Qaida leaders while in exile in Afghanistan, and apparently became convinced that Muslim militants needed to wage a war against non-Muslims, rather than partcipating in sectarian battles that weakened the Islamic cause. After Basra's death in Vehari at a police encounter that many saw as "highly suspicious" and the arrest of another LJ leader, Akram Lahori from Karachi, the faction remained without a leader. The Qari group became more violent after the September 11 attacks and started suicide attacks against foreigners, apparently with Qari now also following Basra's original line that "this was the need of the times." I notice Qari wasn't one of the guys who exploded... There were indications that Qari too had been in contact with Al Qaida activists, and like Basra before him, became convinced of the need to "fight in their cause". Other sources say LJ activists were "well paid" for the missions they carried out. Karachi had become the centre of its activities and the LJ took the responsibility for a series of bomb blasts, including the one that killed the French submarine engineers and the one in front of the American Consulate last year. Sources within the law enforcement agencies said there were reports suggesting that Qari Hai was now attempting to unify the LJ. A personality clash among key LJ leaders was the primary reason why the LJ split, but there was now plenty of room at the top. LJ "personality clashes" result in long naps in the dirt... |
| Posted by:Fred Pruitt |