Why India Hit Muridke Markaz, Lashkar’s Nerve Centre Linked to 26/11 Attacks?

India on Wednesday carried out missile strikes targeting key terror bases operated by the banned outfits Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK).

Among the nine locations struck were the JeM headquarters in Bahawalpur and the LeT's nerve centre in Muridke-both situated in Pakistan's Punjab province.

Bahawalpur has been a hub of terrorist attacks of the JeM, particularly after its founder Masood Azhar was released in 1999 as part of the IC-814 hijacking deal. The group has since orchestrated several major attacks in India, including the 2001 Parliament assault, the 2000 J&K assembly bombing, the 2016 Pathankot airbase attack, and the 2019 Pulwama suicide bombing, PTI reported.

Muridke: The Nerve Centre of Lashkar-e-Taiba

Located just 30 km from Lahore, Muridke has been the operational headquarters of LeT since 1990. The facility, led by Hafiz Saeed-India's most wanted terrorist and the mastermind behind the 26/11 Mumbai attacks-has been a launchpad for terror strikes across India, including in Jammu and Kashmir, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad.

The Markaz complex in Muridke, established in 2000, doubles as a recruitment and radicalisation hub. It comprises educational institutions, religious seminaries, living quarters, and training facilities. Intelligence inputs reveal that around 1,000 students enroll annually, many of whom are indoctrinated and trained for militant activities. Osama bin Laden reportedly contributed ₹1 crore to build a mosque and guesthouse within the premises, according to a report in India Today.

This facility was also involved in training operatives like Ajmal Kasab, one of the 26/11 attackers. Key planners of the Mumbai siege, David Headley and Tahawwur Rana, also visited Muridke on the orders of LeT commander Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi.

Due to its proximity to Lahore and its strategic placement along a key highway, the Markaz can swiftly mobilise resources, making it a critical target for counter-terror operations.

Originally built to support the Afghan jihad in the 1980s, Muridke's focus shifted to anti-India activities after the collapse of the Soviet union, the report added. After 9/11, under international scrutiny, the Pakistani government rebranded the centre as Jamaat-ud-Dawa, though its core operations remained unchanged.

LeT itself was founded by Hafiz Saeed, Zafar Iqbal, and Abdullah Azzam in response to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. Its parent body, Markaz-ud-Dawa-wal-Irshad (MDI), started in 1987 as a hardline Sunni missionary outfit promoting Salafist ideology.

On April 22, a terror attack killed 26 civilians, which is considered to be the worst attack since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.

PM Modi had vowed to trace every terrorist and the backers involved in the Pahalgam terror attack and punish them. He had said that justice would be given to the victims. He said that the terrorists will not be spared and will get a punishment bigger than they can imagine.

In retaliation, New Delhi has taken several measures against Pakistan and this attack is biggest among them. India launched the attack bases in Muzaffarabad, Kotli, Bahawalpur, Rawalakot, Chakswari, Bhimber, Neelum Valley, Jhelum, and Chakwal.

Establishment: Founded in the year 2000, it is considered the 'alma mater' and most important training center for LeT, situated in Nangal Sahdan, Muridke, Sheikhupura, Punjab.

Complex Size and Facilities: The complex spans 82 acres and includes a madrassa, market, residential area for terror entities, sports facility, a fish farm, and agricultural tracts.

Training: It serves as a facility for arms and physical training, as well as for da'wa (proselytizing) and radicalization/indoctrination for terror entities from both Pakistan and abroad.

Sufa Academy: A Sufa Academy within the Markaz focuses on religious indoctrination for male cadres, and there is a separate Sufa education center for women.

Radicalization Hub: The markaz is described as a "mushrooming ground for radicalisation of students to motivate them to join armed jihad" and is compared to a "terror factory."

Enrollment: Annually, around 1000 students enroll in different courses, highlighting its role in producing terror operatives for LeT.

Leadership Training: LeT/JuD (Jamaat-ud-Dawa) also conducts periodical training for its entire leadership at this facility.

Funding: Osama Bin Laden reportedly financed Rs 10 million for the construction of the Mosque & Guest House within the Markaz Taiba complex in the year 2000.

Connection to 26/11 Mumbai Attack: The image states that at the behest of Pakistan's ISI, all perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai attack, including Ajmal Kasab, were imparted 'Daura-e-Tarbiya' (training course) at this facility.

Ribbat (intelligence training) at this facility: David Coleman Headly & Tahawwur Hussain Rana, the prime conspirators of 26/11 Mumbai attacks, had visited Muridke along with Abdul Rehman Sayed @ Pasha, Haroon and Khurram (co-conspirators) on instructions of Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi.

LeT ideologues Amir Hamza, Abdul Rehman Abid and Zafar Iqbal reside in the premises of this Markaz. LeT commanders Khubaib, Isa and Qasim frequently visit this Markaz.

Other then these ideologues, Hafiz Saeed and other terror entities of LeT, including Zaki Ur Rehman Lakhvi, have houses in this facility. They regularly visit to supervise the radicalisation activities being conducted from this Markaz. Pertinently, this Markaz is considered fountain head for LeT terrorism, as Dawa'h from other sects of Islam to Ahle Hadith (being followed by LeT) is being conducted here only. This markaz provides the strategy to LeT, and also religious justification for Ghazwat-ul-Hind.