In Their Own Words: Understanding Lashkar-e-Tayyaba

by C. Christine Fair, Mustafa Samdani

This path-breaking volume reveals a little-known aspect of how Lashkar-e-Tayyaba, a jihadist terrorist group, functions in Pakistan and beyond by translating and commenting upon a range of publications produced and disseminated by Dar-ul-Andlus, the publishing wing of LeT.
Only a fraction of LeT’s cadres ever see battle: most of them are despatched on nation- wide ‘proselytising’ (dawa) missions to convert Pakistanis to their particular interpretation of Islam, in support of which LeT has developed a sophisticated propagandist literature. This canon of Islamist texts is the most popular and potent weapon in LeT’s arsenal, and its scrutiny affords insights into how and who the group recruits; LeT’s justification for jihad; its vision of itself in global and regional politics; the enemies LeT identifies and the allies it cultivates; and how and where it conducts its operations. Particular attention is paid to the role that LeT assigns to women by examining those writings which heap extravagant praise upon the mothers of aspirant jihadis, who bless their operations and martyrdom. It is only by understanding LeT’s domestic functions as set out in these texts that one can begin to appreciate why Pakistan so fiercely supports it, de- spite mounting international pressure to disband the group.

Genres: Pakistan, War, Politics, International Relations, Nonfiction

272 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 2015

Reviews

[Swathi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book answers the question as to why Pakistan supports terrorism; explaining roots of the conflict in partition and the two nation theory. The reasons behind global silence associated with Pakistan origin terrorist attacks on India can also be understood.
The dirty feeder relationship between nuclear power and terrorist based proxy war with India is clearly exposed. The research on demography of terrorists in LeT is wonderful work and gives deep insights on how to tackle terrorism at grassroots level.

The book is written with fair amount of detail, sometimes giving a challenge to general readers. But the overall knowledge gain from the book and the easy writing style makes it a good read.

[Akshat Upadhyay · Rating 2 out of 5]

Its mostly a repetition of her previous book. Very dry and unlike her book on the Pak army, very boring.

[Sanjay Banerjee · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author, teacher and researcher at Georgetown University and a known expert in South Asian affairs and languages and with a history of having lived and researched in Pakistan and then being expelled from the country, has written a definitive work about this terror organization based upon both primary research and secondary research through scrutiny of its publications and the news articles about it. She also highlights how this organized is nurtured by the deep state in Pakistan. The book also enabled me to make sense of the various terror organizations in Pakistan and the specific maslak or the Path of Islam that they owe allegiance to.

Excellent book to read for someone interested in our neighbour and their terror groups.

[Deependra Singh · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this book author tells the story of LeT using the group’s own literature. Book starts with the larger context of how Pakistan is not satisfied with the partition and when the conventional efforts to change the geography failed, Pakistan shifted to proxy warfare with LeT being the most loyal outfit. Author brings out LeT’s functioning, training, recruitment, their operations in India & Afghanistan & most importantly similarities in ideologies of Pak Govt/Army with LeT’s idea of Jihad.
Overall a very good read.

[Vineeth Nair · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well compiled book. Splits open the LeT its ideology and relation it shares with Pakistan's deep state.

[Jai · Rating 5 out of 5]

A detailed indepth view of the philosophy and functioning of the LeT and the reasons why the Pakistani Army keeps it alive.