Country Reports on Terrorism 2014 - Foreign Terrorist Organizations: Lashkar I Jhangvi

aka Army of Jhangvi; Lashkar e Jhangvi; Lashkar-i-Jhangvi

Description: Designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization on January 30, 2003, Lashkar I Jhangvi (LJ) is the terrorist offshoot of the Sunni Deobandi sectarian group Sipah-i-Sahaba Pakistan. LJ focuses primarily on anti-Shia attacks and other attacks in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and was banned by the Government of Pakistan in August 2001 as part of an effort to rein in sectarian violence. Many of its members then sought refuge in Afghanistan with the Taliban, with whom they had existing ties. After the collapse of the Taliban as the ruling government in Afghanistan, LJ members became active in aiding other terrorists, providing safe houses, false identities, and protection in Pakistani cities, including Karachi, Peshawar, and Rawalpindi. LJ works closely with Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan.

Activities: LJ specializes in armed attacks and bombings and has admitted responsibility for numerous killings of Shia religious and community leaders in Pakistan. In January 1999, the group attempted to assassinate Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his brother Shahbaz Sharif, Chief Minister of Punjab Province. Media reports linked LJ to attacks on Christian targets in Pakistan, including a March 2002 grenade assault on the Protestant International Church in Islamabad that killed two U.S. citizens.

LJ attacks in 2012 killed hundreds of people; attacks ranged from suicide bombings to targeted shootings of ethnic Hazaras.

In 2013, LJ continued targeting individuals and groups of different ethnic or religious backgrounds. A January dual bombing in Quetta left upwards of 80 Pakistanis dead and over 100 wounded. In February, LJ claimed responsibility for a deadly bombing in Quetta that killed at least 84 people and wounded around 200 more. In June, LJ conducted a complex attack in which they detonated a bomb targeting a bus carrying female university students. After the students were brought to a local hospital for treatment, LJ stormed the hospital with small arms and grenades. The attacks resulted in the deaths of at least 20 Pakistani civilians.

In January 2014, at least 24 people were killed and 40 others wounded in a bombing that targeted a bus carrying Shia pilgrims. LJ claimed responsibility for the attack. Also in January, LJ attempted to carry out a suicide bombing at a school in the predominantly Shia area of Hangu, Pakistan. The attack was thwarted when a 15-year old student tackled the bomber; the student, Aitezaz Hassan, died of his injuries. No other staff or students were harmed.

Strength: Membership is assessed in the low hundreds.

Location/Area of Operation: LJ is active primarily in Pakistan's Punjab province, the Federally Administered Tribal Areas, Karachi, and Baluchistan.

Funding and External Aid: Funding comes from wealthy donors in Pakistan, as well as the Middle East, particularly Saudi Arabia. The group engages in criminal activity to fund its activities, including extortion.