Pakistan’s ISI has orchestrated a collaboration between the Islamic State-Khorasan Province (ISKP) and Lashkar-e-Taiba to combat the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP). Contrary to expectations, the ISKP-Lashkar alliance seems inactive, with the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) conducting most strikes, resulting in civilian casualties in the region.
Intelligence sources reveal that while the PAF employs airstrikes against the TTP, ground battles involve the ISKP and Lashkar forces. There are concerns that these groups may attempt to infiltrate Jammu and Kashmir, particularly targeting tourist destinations with ‘fidayeen’ squads, posing a significant security threat.
The Indian Army has intensified combing operations in Jammu and Kashmir in response to potential infiltration by ISKP and Lashkar militants. The ISI’s strategy to unite these groups under the guise of fighting the TTP has raised alarms, as it aims to disrupt peace in the region by targeting tourist locations with coordinated attacks.
Officials warn that if the ISI’s plan materializes, akin to the Mumbai 26/11 attack, it could severely impact the tourism industry in Jammu and Kashmir, leading to economic setbacks and potential recruitment of unemployed youth into terrorism. The ISI’s agenda of destabilizing the region through such attacks underscores the ongoing security challenges faced by the authorities.
