A Sanctuary For Terror: A List Of Terrorist Groups That Call Pakistan Their Home
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LeT, Jaish, Al-Qaeda and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) are only some of the few terror groups that Pakistan has helped spread terror in the region.
Earlier this week, the State Department of the United States reiterated that they have been highlighting for decades Pakistan's links to terrorist groups. That terrorists find a safe haven in Pakistan is a fact that India has drawn attention of global and multilateral forums for decades. But due to lack of UNSC reforms, where China has multiple times blocked proscribing of known terrorists as 'designated terrorists", India's war on terror (ongoing since the two nations were partitioned) has faced roadblocks.
Terrorists in Pakistan have survived on state support and have so for decades. Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif told UK broadcaster Sky News earlier this month that Pakistan sheltered these groups because it was doing the UK and the US' 'dirty work", referring to the help US took from Pakistan in the wake of Soviet-Afghan war of the 90s and post 9/11.
Bilawal Bhutto, the nation's former foreign minister and leader of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) also recently accepted that Pakistan has a 'history" with terror groups.
'As far as what the defence minister said, I don't think it is a secret that Pakistan has a past. As a result, we have suffered, Pakistan has suffered. We have gone through wave after wave of extremism," Bhutto had said.
Pakistan's state support for terrorists is India's number one security concern. The Pahalgam carnage of April 22 shows that Pakistani soil is used for destabilising Kashmir and the broader South Asian region. India launched Operation Sindoor to target terror infra deep inside Pakistan.
Here's a look at the long and disturbing list of terrorist organisations that have thrived under Pakistan's patronage, groups that not only threaten India's national security but have also unleashed violence across the globe.
Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT)
Established in 1987 by Hafiz Saeed and Zafar Iqbal, LeT is one of the most prominent Pakistan-based terrorist organizations. It aims to merge Jammu and Kashmir with Pakistan and establish Islamic rule across South Asia. LeT was responsible for the 2008 Mumbai attacks, which resulted in more than 170 deaths, including foreign nationals. Despite being officially banned, LeT operates under various fronts like Jamaat-ud-Dawa and Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation and continues its activities with support from Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).
Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM)
Founded in 2000 by Masood Azhar, JeM focuses on uniting Kashmir with Pakistan through violent means. The group has been linked to several high-profile attacks, including the 2001 Parliament attack and the 2019 Pulwama bombing that killed 40 Indian soldiers. JeM has been designated as a terrorist organization by multiple countries, yet it continues to operate within Pakistan, with its leadership reportedly enjoying safe havens.
The Resistance Front (TRF)
Emerging in 2019, TRF is considered a proxy of LeT, created to give a local face to terrorism in Kashmir and evade international scrutiny. TRF has claimed responsibility for various attacks targeting security forces, civilians and political figures in Jammu and Kashmir. It has been associated with the April 2025 Pahalgam attack that killed 26 tourists.
Jaish al-Adl
Formed in 2012, Jaish al-Adl is a Sunni extremist group operating primarily in Iran's Sistan and Baluchestan province. While its main focus is against Iranian targets, the group has been reported to have safe havens in Pakistan's Balochistan region. Jaish al-Adl has carried out several cross-border attacks, including the 2019 suicide bombing that killed 27 members of Iran's Revolutionary Guard. Iran has accused Pakistan of harboring this group, leading to diplomatic tensions between the two countries. In January 2024, Iran carried out airstrikes against
Haqqani Network
An Afghan insurgent group with deep ties to Pakistan's tribal areas, the Haqqani Network has been responsible for numerous high-profile attacks in Afghanistan, including the 2008 Kabul Serena Hotel attack and the 2011 US Embassy attack in Kabul. The group has been designated as a terrorist organization by the United States and is believed to have received support from Pakistan's ISI, complicating US-Pakistan relations. Trump in 2025 removed the bounty on three of its key members, including Sirajuddin Haqqani.
Harkat-ul-Mujahideen (HuM)
Established in the 1980s, HuM has been involved in various terrorist activities in Kashmir and has links to al-Qaeda. The group was responsible for the 1999 hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight IC-814, which led to the release of Masood Azhar. Despite being banned, HuM continues to operate under different aliases, with its members reportedly receiving training in Pakistan.
Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan (SSP)
Formed in the 1980s, SSP is a Sunni Deobandi organization that has been involved in sectarian violence, primarily targeting Shia Muslims in Pakistan. Although banned, SSP operates under various names and has been linked to numerous assassinations and bombings. The group's continued existence points to the challenges Pakistan faces in curbing sectarian militancy.
Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami (HuJI)
Founded in 1985 by Fazlur Rehman Khalil and Qari Saifullah Akhtar, HuJI emerged as a radical Islamist militant organization during the Soviet-Afghan war. Initially focusing on Afghanistan, the group later expanded its operations to Pakistan, India and Bangladesh. In 2002, it orchestrated the attack near the American Center in Kolkata, India, resulting in multiple casualties. It was responsible for the 2005 bombing of the Delhi-Patna Shramjeevi Express at Jaunpur. In 2006, it conducted the bombing of the Sankat Mochan temple in Varanasi. In 2007, it orchestrated twin bombings in Hyderabad, killing 42 people and injuring 50. HuJI has also been linked to the 2010 Pune bombing, which targeted a popular German bakery frequented by foreigners. The group has maintained close ties with other extremist organizations, including Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed and has been designated as a terrorist organization by several countries, including the United States and India.
Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS)
Announced on September 3, 2014, by Al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri, AQIS was established to consolidate various jihadist factions operating in South Asia. The group aims to carry out jihadist activities in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Myanmar. In 2014, it attempted hijacking of a Pakistani naval frigate, with plans to attack US and Indian naval vessels. In 2015, it coordinated the assassination of atheist and secular bloggers and activists in Bangladesh. AQIS has expressed intentions to target American interests in the region and has been designated as a terrorist organization by the United Nations, United States and India.
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tags :
Operation Sindoor Pahalgam attack
Location :
New Delhi, India, India
First Published:
May 10, 2025, 20:30 IST
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