State Sponsored Terror in Europe – LeT (Lashkar-e-Tayyiba), ISI and Western Intelligence Organisation’s Role

STATE SPONSORED TERROR IN EUROPE – LeT, ISI AND WESTERN INTELLIGENCE ORGANISATION’S ROLE

Ben W Diedericks

About the Author:

Ben W Diedericks is a retired member of the South African Police. Joined the SA Police in 1988 and retired in 2004. Achieved the highpoint of his career in 1998 when he successfully completed his Training as a Bomb Disposal Operator within the SA Police Service. He remained at the Explosives Unit for approximately six and a half years after which he retired as a commissioned officer. In 2004 he embarked on a new career as a PSC (Private Security Contractor) within the Middle East and Africa, where he is still gainfully employed to this day. As a matter of routine, he has a lively interest in the fields of terrorism, especially TTP’s (Terrorist Tactics and Procedures) of different terrorist organisations and their operatives. He also keeps abreast with the latest explosive related threats and methods of addressing and defeating these threats as it forms part of his daily tasks.

ABSTRACT:

Gregory G. Holyk from the University of Illinois at Chicago states as follow: “Also, extensive case study evidence of U.S. economic, military, and diplomatic support to terrorism in Nicaragua, Guatemala, Chile, El Salvador, Indonesia, Afghanistan, and South Africa is documented. As the leader of the “war on terror”, there should not be such an abundance of cases in which the U.S. has sponsored terrorist actions. State-sponsored terrorism appears to be much more lethal than non-state terrorism, and there is evidence the U.S. is a major sponsor.”

How does the above manifest in real world scenarios after 11 September 2001, and is this statement factually correct?

HISTORY:

During 1979, there was a major awakening in the Islamic world with the event of the Islamic Revolution in Iran, when the Shah was overthrown and the Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini became the Leader of Iran.

During the early 80’s, Extremism type Terrorist attacks started making headlines by making use of the phenomenon known as Suicide Bombers and Attackers.

Examples of the above are listed here: 1983 Suicide Bombing of the Israeli Embassy by Hezbollah operative Ahmed Qassir, and the US Marine Cor bombing in Beirut, also in 1983. In 1985 Sana Mohidle gained notoriety as being the first female suicide bomber utilised against an Israeli patrol. All the above attacks were perpetrated by Hezbollah operatives. As matter of fact, Hezbollah is merely a proxy of the IRGC – AKA Pasradan, The Agency responsible for providing training, financial and material support to various organizations, including Hezbollah, Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, the Taliban and Shi’i militias in Iraq. This same support is also given to other Islamic Extremist Groups under various names.

INTRODUCTION:

During 2013 and onwards there was various Extremist Terror Attacks in India, Paris, France and other European cities. Some of these were perpetrated by LeT (Lashkar-e-Tayyiba) ISIS and others by Al Qaeda. It is these attacks that we will be focussing on.

The following discussion will demonstrate how State Sponsored Terror has morphed into Terrorism, indirectly sponsored by the USA and other European Intelligence Agencies and thus their governments.

One will also get a broad sense of how Extremist Organisations “feed on one another” and adopt TTP’s utilised by other Organisations.

BACKGROUND DISCUSSION:

Paris, France – 2015

During 13 November 2015 there were various combined attacks perpetrated within minutes of one another. Attacks took place at the following venues.

• Stade de France,
• restaurants in the 10th and 11th arrondissements,
• and the Bataclan concert hall.

All these attacks occurred in a little over three hours. There were nine attackers, and they killed 130 and wounded more than 400. One of the perpetrators of these attacks was Mohammed Usman who entered Europe as a refugee via Greece. Ironically this same Mohammed Usman was part of the planning of the Mumbai, India Terror Attacks in November 2008 as well as the Newspaper Attack in Copenhagen, Denmark.

There were certain hallmarks or stages contained within the attacks:

1. Get to the Target and kill as many as possible victims.
2. Take hostages and hold them as long as possible, and
3. Then die in a spectacular manner that will absolutely grab media attention.

This was clearly observed and stated by retired DGSE Agent Claud Moniquet.

Sam Faddis from the CIA commented that these attacks were not perpetrated by so-called lone wolf attackers. These were well co-ordinated attacks and were indeed controlled via a Brussels “Commander / Mediator”. Said individual was later eliminated by Law Enforcement.

Responsibility for this attack was claimed by ISIS. But where and how does ISIS and indeed other Organisations get their information and learn how to set up and execute such attacks. In the case of ISIS there is a grouping referred to as “EMNI”. This entity was created by an ex-Intelligence Officers from the Saddam Hussain era. Their knowledge and skills were thus used to glean information and convert that into an attack plan.

It is common knowledge that Intelligence Organisations within the Middle East and Africa are financed, trained and logistically supported by European and US Intelligence Agencies. This according to retired DGSE Agent, Claud Moniquet (A French operative for DGSE and a leading expert in Counter Terrorism).

Mumbai, India – 2008

During the Attacks in November 2008 that were perpetrated in Mumbai, India and later planned for Copenhagen, Denmark; the name Mohammed Usman also featured as one of the planners. He was a Pakistani national and a member of LeT. Strangely LeT was the brainchild of ISI and indeed established by them.

It is seen from this vantage point that Claud Moniquet makes the statement that seeing as nothing takes place in Pakistan without the authorisation of ISI. Furthermore, it remains doubtful which “hat” ISI is wearing during any contact with them – LeT, Al Qaeda of another Organisation.

Another extremely knowledgeable individual is Jean-Louis Bruguière – Former French Investigative Judge, Anti-Terrorism. He states that the French DGSE, CIA and British MI6 all worked with and exchanged information.

During his time as an Investigative Judge, Jean-Louis Bruguière learns of a French national Willie Brigitte, who converted to Islam and was captured for his role in planning an attack on various targets in Australia, both civilian and military. The Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS) placed Willie Brigitte and his cell under surveillance. Willie Brigitte was extradited to France where he was arrested. Upon further investigation Jean-Louis Bruguière was able to determine that the roots of the planned attacks laid with LeT in Pakistan. He was also able to interview terror suspects with US Intelligence Operatives who confirmed that Sajid Mir was actively recruiting persons from the West to plan and execute attacks in the West.

Due to information gleaned during this interview, Jean-Louis Bruguière was able to request a INTERPOL Red Notice (Arrest Warrant) for one Abdul Mir. Also linked to Sajid Mir was one David Headley AKA. David Coleman Headley. He is an US citizen (of Pakistani descent) who is described by Marc Sagemen (a Psychiatrist and CIA Agent) as an individual who enjoyed terrorism and could be classified as a sociopath / psychopath. David Headley was arrested in Frankfurt during 1988 attempting to smuggle Pakistani heroine to the USA. In exchanged for a shortened sentence, David Headley turns informant against his drug contacts, and upon returning to the USA, he continues informing to the DEA (US Drug Enforcement Agency).

He is however still dealing in large amounts of drugs and gets exposed and arrested in the USA. Once again, he offers to turn informer for the DEA in New York and once again he receives a shortened sentence and returns to Pakistan to infiltrate drug operations there. But due to his Islamic religion he quickly becomes radicalised and turns to extremism.

In this timeframe 9/11 takes place and Intelligence Agencies in the USA take an interest in David Headley. David Headley is made available to both the FBI and CIA due to his links with senior Pakistani Military Officers and the underworld / drug trade. The FBI and CIA were determined to hunt down all involved with the 9/11 Attacks. They are especially interested in the link between drug smuggling, money laundering and how that financed terrorism in Afghanistan and Pakistan. This is how David Headley more than likely ended up being an informer / agent for CIA and contacts LeT in Pakistan.

Pres. Bush appoints Michael Hayden as the Director of CIA after 9/11. He describes Pakistan as the ally from hell in the fight against Terror. The unwritten understanding is that the CIA ignores this region and the camps therein if no Westerners are trained there.

Former BND President, Gerhard Schindler (Bundesamt für Verfassungsschutz [BfV]) is of the opinion that Pakistan, although seen as an ally to the West was supporting terrorist organisations via ISI. Pakistan which borders Afghanistan, believes it is an unofficial part of Pakistan, and they reach this goal by means of ISI.

David Headley has proven more than once that he is not trustworthy and will go off the reservation. This situation repeats itself and David Headley becomes a full-blown member of LeT. He receives training in Training camps of LeT situated in the mountainous border area of Pakistan and Afghanistan. David Headley also contacts Sajid Mir who will later be implicated in the Mumbai Attacks on 26 November 2008. It appears that David Headley was handled by Sajid Mir for LeT. It has been proven that during the attacks in Mumbai, Sajid Mir was in constant cell phone contact with the LeT terrorists perpetrating the act. David Headley had already started surveillance of possible targets in Mumbai as early as 2006. After completion of the Mumbai Attacks David Headley is congratulated on the attack by ISI in a coded message. The cell phone calls guiding the terrorists during the Mumbai Attacks originated from Karachi, Pakistan.

The Mumbai Attacks carry the hallmarks of a military operation and was conducted as such. It was later determined that one Major Iqbal from ISI was also the “Operational Officer” and handler for Sajid Mir. It appears that the Mumbai Attacks were financed and indirectly planned by ISI. Because of the Mumbai Attacks, tensions between India and Pakistan reaches an all-time high and soldiers are sent by India; with Pakistan responding in kind. Thus, two nuclear powers were in a virtual stand off against one another.

Due to the success of the Mumbai Attacks, Al Qaeda also express interest in a similar styled attack against Denmark. To be more specific, the Julan Austen’s Newspaper Office in Copenhagen, Denmark. The attacks would be carried out in retaliation for the blasphemous cartoons published by said newspaper. Other targets that were also surveilled as possible targets included the Main Railway Station in Copenhagen as well as other transport systems and the Hotel Arigleterre. Not only did David Headley perform the surveillance, but he also planned to physically take part in the attack in Copenhagen. In this regard he meets with Elias Kashmiri who facilitates a meeting for David Headley with a sleeper cell in the UK.

Elias Kashmiri is already on the CIA’s most wanted list for a failed attack in New York, USA. To further add insult to injury, the Al Qaeda sleeper cell in UK that David Headley meets with is already under surveillance by British Intelligence Services since 2009. MI6 liaises with its counterpart in USA, the CIA and conveys their newfound intelligence on David Headley and the planned attack in Copenhagen.

Due to this intelligence the CIA requests Pres. Obama during October 2009, to make an Executive decision as to what actions is to be taken by the CIA reference the fate of David Headley. The decision is to arrest David Headley once he enters the US. The arrest takes place at Chicago Airport when David Headley lands back on US soil before the Copenhagen attacks were to take place. David Headley is taken to FBI Head Quarters for interrogation and once again he is offered a deal to turn on his fellow terrorists, which he accepts. David Headley offers to give up and assist in the capture Sajid Mir. He goes further and offers to lead the FBI to Elias Kashmiri. In return for his co-operation the death sentence is removed upon a plea of guilty and David Headley is sentenced to 35 years imprisonment.

David Headley was convicted of the following crimes:

• conspiracy to bomb public places in India.
• conspiracy to murder and maim persons in India.
• six counts of aiding and abetting the murder of U.S. citizens in India.
• conspiracy to provide material support to terrorism in India.
• conspiracy to murder and maim persons in Denmark.
• conspiracy to provide material support to terrorism in Denmark; and
• conspiracy to provide material support to LeT.

CONCLUSION:

I deem it necessary to take note of the following relevant points:

• The previous president of Pakistan, Perez Musharaf was one of the main contacts and allies of the West in the Middle East, in the fight against terrorism; remarks during an interview that LeT is not a terrorist organisation but should be seen as a Mujahid and is also a major NGO for Pakistan.
• Perez Musharaf was seen as an ally of the West, and various European countries maintained a positive view of him on the political front.
• Both the Mumbai and planned attack in Copenhagen (by LeT and Al Qaeda) was most likely done with the knowledge and the support of the Pakistan ISI.
• The ISI is once again funded, trained and received logistical support from the USA and European Intelligence Agencies.
• The former President of the BND, believes that LeT on its part can be linked to terrorist organisations and events in both Africa (North Africa) and Saudi Arabia.
• It is interesting to note that Tunisia in North Africa was delivering the most terrorists on the African continent, all while being perceived to be one of the most stable countries in North Africa.
• Ever since 2013 Europe has been rocked by a string of terrorist attacks that all share the same hallmarks as the Mumbai and Paris Attacks.
• Clearly LeT, Al Qaeda and other terrorist organisations do communicate and exchange TTP’s.
• Some terrorist attacks perpetrated since 2014 was the work of North African terrorist organisations. The same methodology, as seen in the ISIS Intelligence grouping EMNI, was also found for the North African Attacks. Only difference that for Libyan Terrorist organisations the intelligence function was performed by former Ghaddafi era Libyan Intelligence agents.
• Anas Amri who carried out the 2017 Berlin Market Attack, was persuaded and tasked by an Ex-Libyan Intelligence Operative to carry out the attack.
• This was made clear when an unsophisticated and not highly trained Anas Amri was able to slip out of Germany after the attacks and safely make his way to Belgium, France and end up in Italy without being compromised or arrested.
• Clearly someone was constantly guiding Anas Amri while making his escape.
• Since 9/11 Pakistan received more than 35 billion US Dollars in US support, yet they harboured Osama bin Laden.
• All the above brings the following questions to the forefront.
  1. Are all the supposed lone wolf attacks really perpetrated by an individual acting in a vacuum?
  2. Are supposed lone wolf attacks not at times perpetrated under the guidance and support of Intelligence Agencies, i.e. LeT and ISI.
  3. Is foreign (African and Middle Eastern) Intelligence Agencies enabled, due to financial and logistical support by US and European Intelligence Agencies and Governments?
  4. Is this then a dilemma faced in the arena of “modern Intelligence Operations” where Western Agencies must sacrifice their moral beliefs for the greater good?
  5. What then is the actual cost of obtaining Intelligence in the modern era?
  6. Is this the nature of the beast for the foreseeable future in Terror related intelligence gathering?
  7. Ultimately success is what Intelligence Agencies strive for, BUT AT WHAT COST IS THIS SUCCESS ACHIEVED?

LIST OF ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS:

• SVBIED – Suicide Vehicle Bourne IED
• IED – Improvised Explosive Device
• ISI – Inter-Service Intelligence (Pakistan Intelligence Service)
• LeT – Lashkar E Tayyiba (Pakistani Terrorist Organisation)
• IRGC – Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (Pasdaran in Farsi)
• CIA – Central Intelligence Agency (USA Intelligence Agency)
• FBI – Federal Bureau of Investigation (USA)
• AKA – Also known as
• DGSE – Direction Générale de la Sécurité Extérieure (French Intelligence Service)
• ASIS – Australian Secret Intelligence Service (Australien Intelligence Service)
• BND – Bundesamt für Verfassungsschutz [BfV] (German Intelligence Service)
• TTP’s – Terrorist Tactics and Procedures

LIST OF SOURCES:

https://pol.illinoisstate.edu/downloads/student-life/conferences/Holyk2005.pdf – Defining State-sponsored Terrorism

https://www.justice.gov/archive/usao/iln/chicago/2011/pr0425_01a.pdf – UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS EASTERN DIVISION: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. ILYAS KASHMIRI, ABDUR REHMAN HASHIM SYED, SAJID MIR, ABU QAHAFA, MAZHAR IQBAL; No. 09 CR 830, Violations: Title 18, United States Code, Sections 956(a)(1), 2332(a)(1) and (2), 2332f(a)(2), 2339A, 2339B and 2.

https://ctc.westpoint.edu/militant-imagery-project/0296/ – Combatting Terrorism Centre -Pasdaran

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q39sHhdMUnU – The Business With Terrorism – Are Our Intelligence Services Financing The JIHAD? | ENDEVR

https://publicpolicy.pepperdine.edu/hsac/content/hsac-paris-lessons-learned_whitepaper.pdf – THE ATTACKS ON PARIS: LESSONS LEARNED

Article compiled by: Ben Diedericks

Date: 30 October 2025