By Hari Sud
Toronto, ON, Canada, -- It appears that the headquarters of global jihad has moved from Saudi Arabia to Pakistan, where the country's intelligence agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence, has taken over the reins.
The mastermind of jihad -- the resilient Osama bin Laden -- initially directed his "holy war" against the Americans. However, with the United States hot on his trail, it now appears that he has turned over the management of jihad to the ISI and is resigned to act only as an inspirational figure for jihadis.
The ISI's main interest is India. It is less focused on hurting the United States, Britain or other Western powers. Since 1991 it has been recruiting and sending terrorists into India. From 1991 to 2000, the ISI tried to upset the applecart in Indian Kashmir, but failed. Unwilling to concede defeat, it has turned to the rest of India for revenge.
The Mumbai carnage last November is a recent example of the type of attack carried out at the ISI's behest, although the spy agency denies it. At the ISI's prodding, Pakistan's civilian government called the operation's perpetrators "non-state actors." This was intended to absolve the ISI of any involvement.
Yet dozens of previous attacks in India, which killed innocent civilians, were carried out at the ISI's behest.
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