Lashkar-e-Islam
Encyclopedia
Lashkar-e-Islam (LI or LeI) literally Army of Islam
also transliterated as Lashkar-e-Islami, Lashkar-i-Islam) is a militant organization active in and around Khyber Agency
, Federally Administered Tribal Areas
, Pakistan
. LeI was founded in 2004 by Mufti Munir Shakir
. Currently, the organization is headed by Mangal Bagh
.
The Council on Foreign Relations
lists LI as one of several groups operating in FATA
which constitute the "Pakistani Taliban."
On April 17, 2008, Bagh claimed that LeI has over 180,000 volunteers in Khyber Agency
On April 27, 2008, it was reported that a "Lashkar-e-Islam" has changed its name to "Jaish-e-Islami". It is unclear whether this is the same group, or another which happened to use the same name. The reports stated that this LeI is located in Bajaur Agency, and headed by Wali Rehman.
, Pakistan)
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
also transliterated as Lashkar-e-Islami, Lashkar-i-Islam) is a militant organization active in and around Khyber Agency
Khyber agency
Khyber is a tribal area in the FATA region of Pakistan. It is one of the eight tribal areas, better known as agencies in Pakistan. It ranges from the Tirah valley down to Peshawar...
, Federally Administered Tribal Areas
Federally Administered Tribal Areas
The Federally Administered Tribal Areas are a semi-autonomous tribal region in the northwest of Pakistan, lying between the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and the neighboring country of Afghanistan. The FATA comprise seven Agencies and six FRs...
, Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
. LeI was founded in 2004 by Mufti Munir Shakir
Mufti Munir Shakir
Mufti Munir Shakir is a religious figure operating in northwestern Pakistan, and the founder of the militant group Lashkar-e-Islam...
. Currently, the organization is headed by Mangal Bagh
Mangal Bagh
Mangal Bagh , also known as Mangal Bagh Afridi, is the leader of Lashkar-e-Islam, a paramilitary organization operating in Khyber Agency, Pakistan. Several Pakistani newspapers have referred to him by title as Haji Amir Mangal Bagh...
.
The Council on Foreign Relations
Council on Foreign Relations
The Council on Foreign Relations is an American nonprofit nonpartisan membership organization, publisher, and think tank specializing in U.S. foreign policy and international affairs...
lists LI as one of several groups operating in FATA
Federally Administered Tribal Areas
The Federally Administered Tribal Areas are a semi-autonomous tribal region in the northwest of Pakistan, lying between the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and the neighboring country of Afghanistan. The FATA comprise seven Agencies and six FRs...
which constitute the "Pakistani Taliban."
On April 17, 2008, Bagh claimed that LeI has over 180,000 volunteers in Khyber Agency
On April 27, 2008, it was reported that a "Lashkar-e-Islam" has changed its name to "Jaish-e-Islami". It is unclear whether this is the same group, or another which happened to use the same name. The reports stated that this LeI is located in Bajaur Agency, and headed by Wali Rehman.
Leadership progression
(The term "Lashkar-e-Islam" is very generic, but the following individuals have been cited in media as leaders of an organization by that name in Bara tehsilBara tehsil
Bara is a tehsil located in Khyber Agency, Federally Administered Tribal Areas, Pakistan.In the 2000s, Bara achieved some mention in worldwide media with the founding of Lashkar-e-Islam, founded in the area by Mufti Munir Shakir, and later passed to Mangal Bagh, a local driver.- See also :* Bara...
, Pakistan)
- 2004: founded by Mufti Munir ShakirMufti Munir ShakirMufti Munir Shakir is a religious figure operating in northwestern Pakistan, and the founder of the militant group Lashkar-e-Islam...
- 2006: reportedly led by Haji Taj Mohammed, "member of the Afridi ShuraShuraShura is an Arabic word for "consultation". The Quran and Muhammad encourage Muslims to decide their affairs in consultation with those who will be affected by that decision....
." However, a report from earlier that month refers to Taj as only "a spokesman for the Mufti" - Present: led by Mangal BaghMangal BaghMangal Bagh , also known as Mangal Bagh Afridi, is the leader of Lashkar-e-Islam, a paramilitary organization operating in Khyber Agency, Pakistan. Several Pakistani newspapers have referred to him by title as Haji Amir Mangal Bagh...
Recent focus on Lashkar-e-Islam
- LeI sends threatening letters to industrialists in Khyber AgencyKhyber agencyKhyber is a tribal area in the FATA region of Pakistan. It is one of the eight tribal areas, better known as agencies in Pakistan. It ranges from the Tirah valley down to Peshawar...
- LeI clashes with Pakistani government troops in Khyber Agency
- LeI compels the public administration of Khyber Agency to close its offices in Bara tehsilBara tehsilBara is a tehsil located in Khyber Agency, Federally Administered Tribal Areas, Pakistan.In the 2000s, Bara achieved some mention in worldwide media with the founding of Lashkar-e-Islam, founded in the area by Mufti Munir Shakir, and later passed to Mangal Bagh, a local driver.- See also :* Bara...