“An Alliance Built on Terror: Inside Pakistan’s New Terror Syndicate”, Indian Narrative, January 22, 2026
“Pakistan’s deep state has turned terrorism into a deliberate instrument of state policy, commissioning rather than condemning it. This calculated strategy is playing with fire, demonstrated by a troubling consolidation among terrorist groups under the orchestrating hand of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Central to this operation is the ISI, which acts not just as a protector but as the architect, bringing together groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP), and Hamas into what can be described as an “unholy alliance.”
The aftermath of Operation Sindoor, which severely impacted LeT’s headquarters in Muridke and exposed the underlying connections, saw the ISI double down on its efforts. It ordered LeT and JeM to work together as a “pack” rather than as isolated factions. Army officers are seen openly attending the funerals of terrorists, while politicians share platforms with LeT deputy Saifullah Kasuri. Rauf, a prominent leader within LeT, proudly declares the ease of jihad recruitment under state support during parades attended by Talha Saeed, son of Hafiz Saeed. This ISI-linked network fuses LeT’s urban logistics and operatives with JeM’s suicide bombing capabilities, bolstered by tactical support from Hamas, aiming to overwhelm India through relentless violence.
The alliance between LeT and ISKP serves as a testament to the ISI’s strategic ingenuity. A telling moment occurred recently, when ISKP coordinator Mir Shafiq Mangal gifted a weapon to LeT leader Rana Mohammad Ashfaq, symbolising this partnership that merges various jihadist and sectarian factions under ISI oversight. ISKP’s Yalgaar magazine reflects a focus on Kashmir, embedding LeT fidayeen, led by figures such as Abu Hurraira, Mohammad Umar (alias “Khargosh”), and Abu Dujana, into strategically placed cells across Budgam, Kishtwar, and Srinagar. This operation is under the watchful eye of Lt Gen Ahmad Ehsan Nawaz and Brig Faiq Ayub, targeting both Baloch nationalists and anti-Pakistan Taliban factions, while inciting chaos in Jammu and Kashmir……”
Read full article at indianarrative.com
