U.S. general warns of Pakistan militant group’s “expanding reach”

The U.S. military is becoming concerned about the expanding reach of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (Laskhar), one of the largest and most well-funded militant groups in Pakistan.

Admiral Robert Willard, chief of the Pacific Command, told a Senate hearing in Washington that the Laskhar group is apparently seeking to expand beyond South Asia,

Laskhar was blamed for the spectacular attacks on Mumbai, India in November 2008 which killed almost 170 people.

However, Willard has warned that the group has declared a holy war (jihad) on the U.S. and has already carried out attacks on American troops in Afghanistan.

Unquestionably they have spread their influence internationally and are no longer solely focused in South Asia and on India, Admiral Willard told the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Willard claims there is evidence of Laskhar’s footprints in Europe, the wider Asia-Pacific region and even in North America.

The relationship between Laskhar and the Pakistani government is a “very sensitive” one, Willard added.

In fact, Laskhar was alleged recruited by Pakistani state security two decades ago to fight a guerilla war in Kashmir against Indian forces.

Officially outlawed in Pakistan, the group is still believed by Indian officials to be connected with Pakistan’s national security apparatus.

US intelligence officials also have suspected that Laskhar receives assistance and protection from Pakistan’s main intelligence agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence.

Laskhar was founded by Hafiz Muhammad Saeed and Zafar Iqbal in Afghanistan, but is reportedly based in Muridke, a Pakistani town located near Lahore.

Its stated goal is to establish an Islamic State in South Asia and to “liberate” Muslims in Indian-controlled Kashmir.

On a global basis, it seeks to annihilate Hinduism and Judaism, declaring that Hindus and Jews are “enemies of Islam” and that India, US and Israel are enemies of Pakistan.”