Today, H.Res. 1532, legislation to condemn the series of Islamist terrorist attacks that rocked Mumbai two weeks ago, unanimously passed the House of Representatives. Nearly 200 were killed in the terrorist attacks, including 6 Americans. Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA), the Ranking Member of the Terrorism, Nonproliferation and Trade Subcommittee and incoming Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans, was a leader in bringing the resolution to the floor.
"Terrorism is not new to India. This great democracy, a country of over 1 billion, has been fighting terrorism for a generation. While a kaleidoscope of terrorist groups confront India, it looks as if this was an Islamist terrorist attack perpetrated by Lashkar-e-Taiba," said Royce.
Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), a Pakistani-based group, whose name means 'Army of the Pure,' was behind the December 2001 attacks on the Indian parliament. After that attack, Pakistan reluctantly banned LeT, and arrested dozens of its leaders. But after international pressure waned, Pakistan released the group's leadership; and Lashkar then renamed itself Jamaat-ud-Dawa.
"Lashkar-e-Taiba has been able to expand its membership, its operational reach, and its influence among the constellation of radical Islamist networks. Inside Pakistan, it still operates training camps and runs a charitable and social services organization that has been embraced by Pakistani officials."
A group thought to be solely focused on India is now global. One of the 2005 London subway bombers spent time at a LeT-affiliated school in Pakistan. British national Richard Reid, who attempted to blow-up a transatlantic flight, trained with LeT. LeT has also been active inside the United States. In 2006, 11 men were convicted in the Washington D.C. area for providing material support to Laskkar-e-Taiba.
"What is clear is that Pakistan and South Asia is at a crossroads. Pakistanis have to make the fundamental decision to turn their backs on the culture of jihad. For if they don't, the future of their country, the region, and security in the world will be in peril," concluded Royce.
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