A Book Review on an Essential Read for all Indians: Call for Transnational Jihad – LeT 1985-2014

I recently completed my reading of this encyclopedia on Islamic Jihad and Terrorism as they are manifested in South Asia and the rest of the world. I can say confidently that those scholars, journalists, analysts and strategists that believe that the War on Terror is against Al Qaeda are severely mistaken. Today, Al Qaeda has been reduced to an almost irrelevant status and the splinter group that the late Abu Musab Al Zarqawi formed has gone on to become what we know as ISIS (which is currently led by Abu Bakr Al Baghdadi). But many may not know that there is a more menacing threat to world peace. That threat is the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) which is based in Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir. The truth is that the poisonous jihadi ideology of members of Juhayman’s Ikhwan has proliferated all over the Islamic world from North Africa, the Middle East and to South Asia. That ideology has created a two-headed monster where ISIS is the formidable jihadi group in the Middle East, and the LeT in South Asia.

Arif Jamal’s book goes in to depth in discussing the genesis of the LeT, the role it played in the Mumbai 28/11 attacks, its plans to encircle India in tandem with nuclear armed Pakistan, and its global ambition to re-establish the “Caliphate”. Even today, the world is not paying enough attention to the LeT menace. To give you an idea of the scale of the LeT’s operation, it has provided military, guerrilla and terrorist training to over 500, 000 mujaahids (holy warriors) according to 2008 estimates. There are signs in Indian Kashmir and South India of ISIS recruitment and the LeT has already been working there. In the coming weeks, months, and years, we may see a formal merger between ISIS and the LeT. Such a possibility should be mitigated as soon as possible for world peace.

On an alarming note, we have heard from sources that ISIS in Balochistan has issued a threat to Balochi Hindus to convert to Islam or die. In addition, they say they will destroy the Mata Hinglaj Shaktipeeth (Nani Mandir). This development may be an indicator of a merger between ISIS and LeT. We can expect zero protection of the Balochi Hindus and their places of worship by the Pakistani establishment as it too is working hand-in-glove with these evil forces.

Reading this book will explain to the reader why he/she must revise his/her knowledge of the terror outfits in the world, how they operate, and what drives them. The War on Terror is far from over and this book explains exactly why that is so. I highly recommend this book to anyone concerned with world peace and fighting terrorism.

Thanks,
A.Dube