Why are Lashkar-e-Tayiba cadres joining ISIS?

The Lashkar-e-Tayiba (LeT) looks like it is having problems. A report from Pakistan suggests that several of its operatives have joined the Islamic State (ISIS).

This came to light when 8 persons were arrested in the Punjab province of Pakistan. The news is both good as well bad in the Indian context.

The good news is that the LeT is weakening and the bad news is that the ISIS is looking to establish a Caliphate in the sub-continent.

While the challenge ahead is tough, it would be pertinent to discuss why so many operatives of the LeT are leaving the organisation and joining the ISIS.

ISIS in Lashkar-e-Tayiba out:

There has been a considerable amount of undercurrent in the LeT and Pakistan's spy agency the ISI has been burning the midnight oil to keep the outfit united.

The Lashkar-e-Tayiba does not operate independently and it is a well known fact that it is remote controlled by the ISI to act mainly against India.

The Lashkar-e-Tayiba had faced a similar problem in 2004 when many of its operatives began challenging the leadership as they wanted to fight alongside the al-Qaeda in Afghanistan.

The cadres felt that they could sit quietly and watch their brothers being killed by the American forces.

The ISI was however not in favour of the cadres leaving their parent organisation and joining the fight in Afghanistan.

In a bid to keep the flock united, the ISI planned the Mumbai 26/11 attack. This attack was to tell the cadres that they are still at war with an enemy nation. The execution of the 26/11 strike prevented a major split in the Lashkar-e-Tayiba.

The Caliphate bait:

It could be said that the decision by the ISIS to declare a caliphate was one of the best marketing gimmicks undertaken till date by any terror group. The word caliphate itself rang a bell among many youth who joined the outfit in large numbers.

In the case of the Lashkar-e-Tayiba cadres the term Caliphate has attracted them. They realise that the ISIS operates independently and is not at the mercy of any known spy agency.

These cadres are basically trying to break away from the control of the ISI as they feel that the spy agency is chasing more of a political agenda rather than the cause of radical Islam. In the ISIS these Lashkar-e-Tayiba cadres find a perfect solution to undertake brutality and chase the cause of radical Islam.

OneIndia News