The past two decades have seen a dramatic increase in terrorist attacks around the world, including the infamous 9/11 attacks in France, Spain, Belgium and the United Kingdom.
Attacks in Europe have intensified since 2015, with national security agencies on high alert. Authorities have arrested many of the criminals behind these attacks in Europe. They are usually lone operators or members of separate terrorist cells who are either too small or insignificant to send a big warning signal. However, it quickly becomes apparent that most attacks are probably too organized, complex, coordinated and well-planned for a lone wolf or two suspects to act alone.
So, who or what group controls, finances and directs these terrorist attacks? Where do they get funding, resources and intelligence? Closer inspection can trace the chain of terrorist attacks in Europe back to a group called Lashkar-e-Taiba, or Righteous Army. The group may not be as well-known as ISIS or Al Qaeda, but they are just as deadly and determined to make their cause known to the world.
One of the largest and most active militant groups in Pakistan, JA wants Kashmir to be completely under Pakistani control. It is a group of personnel within or associated with the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Pakistan’s first official intelligence agency. Pakistani officials, including former President Pervez Musharraf, vehemently deny the allegations and refuse to recognize Lashkar Lashkar as a terrorist organization.
In an ironic and slightly disturbing twist, ISI works with many European intelligence agencies, including British, French, Spanish, German and American intelligence agencies. The CIA works with the Inter-Services Intelligence to fight al Qaeda and other groups. It has become increasingly clear that Western secret services are directly or indirectly supporting those behind the attacks. They fund ISI surveillance and sometimes infiltrate these terrorist groups. But studies and investigations show that these funds are going to groups such as the Positive Army, allowing them to bring terrorism to Europe.
This is a trap 22 situation. Western countries need to cooperate with the intelligence agencies of other countries, including ISI, because they need allies and eyes and ears on the ground in the countries where these terrorist groups are located. As new threats of attack come, more money is spent on monitoring these groups. A portion of this money then goes to these terrorist organizations for further terrorist attacks.
With many of these militant terrorist groups operating in the dark, it is difficult for intelligence agencies to figure out who is who, which group is what and where allegiances lie. The Western tendency to have quick fixes to problems may not be the best approach. Lines will soon have to be drawn in how far they are willing to work with those who aid terrorists.
Directed by: Daniel Harrich
