‘LeT using flood aid fund to rebuild headquarters’, Pg1

Key Highlights:

• Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) is raising funds to rebuild its headquarters in Muridke, which was struck by the Indian Air Force on May 7 during Operation Sindoor.
• Funds are being collected under the guise of providing relief for flood victims, similar to tactics used during the 2005 earthquake.
• The Pakistani government had announced it would finance reconstruction of LeT and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) facilities in May.
• The deadline for completing the construction work has been set as February 5, 2026, which is observed as Kashmir Solidarity Day in Pakistan.

Detailed Insights:

• The air strike on May 7 targeted three main buildings inside the 1.09-acre Markaz Taiba complex in Muridke, including cadre accommodation, weapons storage, training facilities, and residences of senior commanders.
• In May, the Pakistani government allocated 4 crore Pakistani rupees to LeT for its headquarters, while the estimated cost of reconstruction could exceed 15 crore Pakistani rupees.
• LeT operatives are staging photo opportunities at flood relief sites with Pakistani officials, but assessments suggest the fundraising campaign is a front to divert money to rebuild the Muridke headquarters.
• On February 5 this year, operatives of banned terror outfits, LeT, JeM, and Hizbul Mujahideen, met with the Hamas leadership in PoJK.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT): A globally banned terror organization based in Pakistan.
• Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM): A Pakistan-based terrorist group also proscribed internationally.
• Hizbul Mujahideen: An active militant group operating in Jammu and Kashmir.