Factional War In Lashkar-e-Taiba? Hafiz Saeed and Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi Battle For Supremacy

A factional war is underway in Lashkar-e-Taiba, the Pakistan-based terror outfit headed by Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed, the Hindustan Times has reported. According to the daily, the Indian intelligence establishment has received inputs about a possible fallout between the organisation’s founder Hafiz Saeed and its Kashmir operations in-charge Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi.

The organisation has reportedly ordered its cadres to issue future press release in the name of ‘Quite Kashmir Movement’ to give an impression that ‘indigenous groups’ are carrying out attacks in the Valley.

“Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi has got certain issues with Hafiz Saeed, who is presently under detention. Reportedly, Lakhvi has shifted most of his loyalists to PoK. Inputs reveal that Lashkar has decided to not use its name in its actions in Kashmir,” intelligence documents accessed by Hindustan Times read.

According to a security official, Lakhvi, following a fallout with Saeed, has moved most of his loyalists to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The region has also seen revival of dominant terror outfits such as Tehreek-e-Mujahideen.

According to the Hindustan Times report, terrorist outfits may also try to assassinate one or more pro-Pakistan separatist leaders to ignite a rebellion in the Kashmir Valley.

The forces, according to a Jammu & Kashmir police official, are taking adequate measures to maintain proper security based on intelligence inputs.