Jaish-e-Mohammad: Know about the terrorist outfit suspected to be behind Pathankot attack

Jaish-e-Mohammad ( JeM), a terrorist outfit operating from Pakistan, is suspected to be behind the attack on Pathankot air base. The ISI-backed organisation was formed by Maulana Masood Azhar after he was released in a terrorist-for-hostage swap during the IC-814 hijacking in 1999. Here's a look...

Azhar: The man Behind JeM

JeM was launched on Jan 31, 2000, by Azhar in Karachi. Azhar was among the three militant leaders set free by India in exchange for hostages held with the Indian Airlines plane. A close associate of Azhar, Sheikh Omar, was also set free. Before his arrest by India, Azhar was general secretary of Harkat-ul-Ansar (HuA) in 1994.

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Later, since HuA had been included in the US list of Foreign Terrorist Organisations, the outfit renamed itself as the Harkat-ul-Mujahideen (HuM). However, Azhar decided to fl oat JeM rather than rejoin his old organisation. He was reported to have received assistance in setting up JeM from ISI, the then Taliban regime in Afghanistan, and several Sunni sectarian outfits of Pakistan.





Area of Operation

Operates largely within J&K. Major role outside J&K was in the December 2001 attack on Parliament in New Delhi. The group was officially banned by the Parvez Musharraf govt in 2002. The group has been designated as a terrorist organisation by Australia, Canada, the UAE, the UK, the US and the UN.

Current Base

In 2008, soon after 26/11, Masood shifted from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir to Bahawalpur, which is now the Jaish HQ. Jaish, which enjoys ISI patronage, prepares youth for 'jehad'.





Specialises in...

The militant outfit only targets "military" or "vital installations" unlike Lashkare-Taiba (LeT), which focuses on ideological targets.

Strength

JeM is believed to have nearly 400 fighters. Most of their force is dormant.