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| Afghanistan/South Asia |
| Lashkar-e-Jhangvi and Sipah-e-Muhammad being revived |
| 2004-04-07 |
| Banned militant groups Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LJ) and Sipah-e-Muhammad are resurfacing in Punjab amid growing tensions between defunct parties Tehrik-e-Islami Pakistan (TIP) and Millat-e-Islamia Pakistan (MIP), sources in law enforcement agencies told Daily Times. âThe TIP and MIP are now working under new names, Millat-e-Jafria (MJ) and Sunni Action Committee (SAC),â sources added. They said law enforcement agencies had dismantled the Sipah-e-Muhammad network in Punjab and many of its terrorists were killed or escaped abroad but now new activists had revived the organisation with Lahore, Multan and Bhakkar the centres of their activity. âThe Sipah-e-Muhammadâs new cadres also have support from some Shia parties and prominent leaders to avenge the murder of Shias in Quetta and Karachi,â law enforcement sources said, and added that Sipah-e-Muhammad terrorists were also planning to target prominent Sunni leaders. âThe LJ has an elaborate network which could not be eliminated despite the killing of its important leaders. Reports suggests that the organisation is continuously recruiting the new cadre,â sources said. Divisions within the MIP after Maulana Azam Tariqâs murder have also encouraged the LJâs revival. The MIP is currently divided into three groups, one led by Maulana Muhammad Ahmad Ludhyanvi, another by Maulana Alam Tariq, the younger brother of Azam Tariq, and the third by Maulana Ali Sher Haideri. "Divisions in the MIP are causing disappointment among workers and reportedly many have joined the LJ to continue the mission of Maulana Jhangvi and Maulana Azam Tariq,â sources said. They said a group, Lashkar-e-Tariq, formed in Jhang to avenge Maulana Azam Tariqâs death and had also joined the LJ. Sources said some groups in the MIP were encouraging the LJ to target Shias to win worker support. After the fall of Taliban in Afghanistan, the LJ was also involved in attacks on foreigners and Christian missionaries, but sources said the current scenario was forcing the LJ to revert to its past sectarian agenda. Sources said while Punjab had recently remained safe from major sectarian attacks, most of the terrorists involved in attacks on Shias in Quetta and Karachi belonged to Punjab. âBut the LJ will concentrate on Punjab now, as its network finds its feet,â they said. âLaw enforcement agencies are vigilant,â law enforcement sources said. |
| Posted by:Paul Moloney |