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India

Pakistan's President Orders End to Support for Islamic Militant Groups in Kashmir

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Pakistan's President, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, has ordered the country's military intelligence agency to cut off backing for Islamic militant groups fighting in the disputed territory of Kashmir. The decision comes at a critical moment in relations between India and Pakistan, with both nations massing forces along their 1,800-mile border and preparing for a possible war over an incident in which five armed men tried to shoot their way into the Indian Parliament in New Delhi. The order aims to end the armed activities of groups accused in the attack, as well as other Islamic militant groups that have used bases in Pakistan-ruled Kashmir to mount attacks across the Himalayas.

Key Takeaways:

  • Pakistan's President Gen. Pervez Musharraf has ordered the country's military intelligence agency to cut off backing for Islamic militant groups fighting in Kashmir.
  • The decision aims to end the armed activities of groups accused in the attack on the Indian Parliament, as well as other Islamic militant groups operating in Pakistan-ruled Kashmir.
  • The shutdown will affect about 70% of all attacks in Indian-ruled Kashmir over the last three years, carried out by Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Muhammad, both of which have links to Al Qaeda.
  • The order will target groups with non-local roots, including Arabs and Chechens, who have fought in the groups accused of the Parliament attack.
  • Western diplomats see this decision as a turning point in the crisis, and General Musharraf has taken steps to curb Islamic militancy in Pakistan since September 11.
  • The decision will come with political risks, including the enhanced danger of militants trying to assassinate General Musharraf.
  • General Musharraf has announced plans to rein in 7,000 madrasas, or religious schools, where 700,000 Pakistani youths receive an education. New regulations will require licensing, teaching a broad curriculum, and forbidding arms training.

Statistics:

  • 70% of all attacks in Indian-ruled Kashmir over the last three years were carried out by Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Muhammad, both of which have links to Al Qaeda.
  • 35,000 foreign students are currently enrolled in Pakistan's madrasas, with half of them being Arabs.
  • 7,000 madrasas are operating in Pakistan.
  • 700,000 Pakistani youths are being educated in these madrasas.
  • Pakistan's military intelligence agency, I.S.I., has been accused of continuing to support groups that it has formally disavowed.
  • Pakistan and India have massed forces along their 1,800-mile border, with both nations preparing for a possible war.

Sources:

  • "Pakistan's President Orders End to Support for Islamic Militant Groups in Kashmir" by James Risen, The New York Times, December 13, 2001.
  • "Pakistan Curbs Militant Groups, but Tensions Remain" by James Risen, The New York Times, December 14, 2001.
  • "Pakistani Leader Says He Will Rein in Militant Groups" by James Risen, The New York Times, December 25, 2001.

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