Founded In:
1994
Home Base:
Pakistan
Goal:
To overthrow Indian rule in Kashmir. Jaish-e-Mohammed sees Kashmir through a religious lens, and envisions it as Islamic territory that has been "occupied" by Hindu India.
Learn more: Pakistan's Role in Kashmir
Leadership:
It is presumed that Maulana Masood Azhar, a cleric and a militant with a long history of violent activism, founded the group.
Origins:
Jaish-e-Mohammed (which means Army of Mohammed) rose out of the ashes of other groups, most prominently the Harakat-ul-Mujahideen, of which Maulana Masood Azhar is believed to have been a member in the 1990s. Azhar was apprehended by Indian authorities, but released in 1999 upon demands by hijackers who had captured an Indian Airlines plane. Azhar went on to found Jaish-e-Mohammed, but was placed in custody again in 2002, when President Musharraf sought to crack down on Islamist militants.
Indian officials expected that Jaish-e-Mohammed would become more active following the departure of Musharraf. Under pressure from the United States, Musharraf had managed to quell the group's activities.
Backing and Affiliations:
The group may receive funding from Pakistanis in the United Kingdom and elsewhere. It is often assumed to have the tacit support of Pakistan, or at the least by religious seminaries in Pakistan. India believes that Pakistan provides material support to the group.