Is Lashkar-e-Taiba preparing sea-borne attacks against India?

New Delhi: Intelligence agencies have recently picked up information indicating a revival of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), the terror outfit that was heavily hit by the Indian Armed Forces during Operation Sindoor.

While groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad have struggled to regroup due to dejection, disappointment, and lack of traction among the youth, LeT appears to be adopting new strategies aimed at deception. The outfit has reportedly alternated between claims of raising a women’s wing and recruiting children for early terrorist training.

Over the past few weeks, the focus has shifted to training militants for sea-borne attacks against India. The task has reportedly been handed over to the Pakistani Markaz-e-Muslim League, the political wing of Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD), the financial arm of Lashkar-e-Taiba responsible for the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.

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An Intelligence Bureau official told IANS, “There is no doubt that the Lashkar-e-Taiba is indulging in all these activities. However, the scale at which they claim that these activities are taking place is slightly doubtful. These are clear mind games that the ISI is playing to confuse the Indian agencies.”

The official added that the circulation of announcements and videos related to LeT activities keeps Indian agencies guessing, acting as a diversionary tactic. “Whether it is true or not, it is something that cannot be ignored. The Lashkar-e-Taiba is capable of carrying out a sea-borne attack, and one got to witness that in Mumbai. While the outfit is capable of carrying out all these activities and has done so in the past, in the current situation, it would not be able to do so on such a scale.”

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Another official noted that the ISI continues to invest heavily in the outfit, including funds, but activities are being carried out quietly and on a smaller scale to avoid retaliation by Indian forces. Recruitments and infiltrations remain a priority, though the outfit faces difficulties due to heavy border security.

Fake recruitment campaigns have also been used to mislead the youth. When the sea-borne training program began, posters were circulated across Pakistan claiming the courses were for swimming and water rescue under the names of fake organisations. “It is only in due course of time that they realise what the real purpose of the training is. Some stick on, while many also leave,” said an official.

Artificial Intelligence is reportedly being used to create fake videos of training programs. “If ten are undergoing training, the videos would depict over 100 being trained,” the official added.

Despite these tactics, Indian agencies remain vigilant. “We do not want to take anything lightly, although we are aware that most of what comes out of the Lashkar-e-Tayiba is a lot of hype,” an official said. IANS