The Aryavarth Express:
Washington DC [US], March 30 : A recent U.S. Congressional research report has described Pakistan as a longstanding base for numerous militant and terrorist groups, noting that decades of military operations have failed to eliminate their presence.
Dated March 25, the report states that U.S. officials have identified a wide range of armed groups operating from Pakistan since the 1980s. These groups vary in focus, including global, Afghanistan-oriented, India-oriented, domestic, and sectarian agendas. Twelve of them are officially designated as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) under U.S. law, with most adhering to Islamist extremist ideologies.
According to the report, repeated military efforts by Pakistan—including airstrikes and hundreds of thousands of intelligence-based operations—have not succeeded in dismantling these networks. Many U.S.- and UN-designated terrorist organizations continue to operate from Pakistani territory.
Among the groups highlighted is Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), formed in the late 1980s and designated as an FTO in 2001. Led by Hafiz Saeed, the group operates from Pakistan’s Punjab province and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. It later rebranded as Jamaat-ud-Dawa to evade sanctions. With several thousand fighters, LeT was responsible for the 2008 Mumbai attacks and other major incidents.
Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), founded in 2000 by Masood Azhar and also designated as an FTO in 2001, is another key group cited. It reportedly has around 500 operatives active across India, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.
The report also mentions other organizations such as Harakat-ul Jihad Islami (HUJI), Harakat ul-Mujahidin (HUM), and Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) as operating from Pakistani soil.
The findings reinforce India’s long-standing position that Pakistan continues to support terrorist groups. The report also references The Resistance Front (TRF), believed to be an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba, which was responsible for the Pahalgam attack that killed 26 people. TRF has since been designated a global terrorist organization.
Following that attack, India launched Operation Sindoor on May 6, 2025. The Indian Armed Forces conducted coordinated strikes targeting nine terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, reportedly killing over 100 militants, including trainers and handlers linked to groups such as JeM, LeT, and Hizbul Mujahideen. Officials stated the strikes were precise, aiming to minimize civilian casualties.
On May 10, Pakistan responded with missile and drone attacks targeting Indian Air Force bases, army depots, and other military installations. Indian defense systems reportedly intercepted the attacks, preventing damage. In retaliation, the Indian Air Force struck multiple Pakistani military sites, including airbases and command centers.
Subsequently, Pakistan’s Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) reached out to his Indian counterpart to de-escalate tensions. Formal talks on May 12 resulted in both sides agreeing to halt military operations.
The U.S. report adds to ongoing international scrutiny, suggesting that militant networks continue to operate from Pakistan despite sustained counterterrorism efforts.
