India and Pakistan are moving forward with detente, most recently symbolized and deepened by the opening of the border between Indian and Pakistan—governed portions of Kashmir, to permit earthquake aid from India to reach Pakistani victims.

But Islamicist forces are dedicated to global jihad in India, too. The Lshka—e—Taiba is a violent terror group, responsible for previous bombings, and probably for the recent blasts in Delhi. Writing in the Indian newspaper The Hundu, Proveen Swami brings to light some interesting communications from the group, showing how closely linked it is to our own war on terror. Some highlights of the article:

— Just last month, the Lashkar served public notice of its intentions. In its September 23 issue, the Lashkar—affiliated magazine Ghazwa editorially called for a renewal of Pakistani state support for the jihad in Jammu and Kashmir. India, it claimed, was working to divide Pakistani society by "cunningly using the slogan of friendship," while at once supporting forces hostile to it in Baluchistan and Afghanistan. Ghazwa demanded that President Musharraf admit that the détente process had given Pakistan nothing and work instead "to fortify the jihad."

Of arguments that continued support for jihad imposed unacceptable costs upon Pakistan, Ghazwa was dismissive. "Now is the right time for Pakistan to support the jihad in Kashmir," it said, "because America has entangled herself in the wars of Iraq and Afghanistan and in addition is suffering from severe afflictions like Katrina and Rita." "Pakistan should remember," the magazine asserted, "that even a so—called superpower like the United States has been badly worn at the hands of the mujahideen. Remember what happened to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and then think about India: how can it resist the jihad?" [emphasis added]

— Understanding the Lashkar position requires an engagement with its core position: that the jihad in Jammu and Kashmir is not a battle over territory, but a part of an irreducible conflict between Islam and unbelief.

— the Lashkar asserts that a jihad—without—end must continue "until Islam, as a way of life, dominates the whole world and until Allah's law is enforced everywhere in the world."

— As the Lashkar spokesperson Nazir Ahmad bluntly stated: "through the jihad that the mujahideen have launched in Kashmir, Islam will become dominant all over the world."

— Set up with the support of Pakistan's Inter—Services Intelligence and Osama bin—Laden aide Abdullah Azam, the Lashkar has emerged as an organisation of global reach, largely untouched by the U.S.' war against terrorism.

Hat tip: N.S. Rajaram

Thomas Lifson   11 03 05