Narrative
Narrative of the Organization's History
Narrative of the Organization's History
Leadership, Name Changes, Size Estimates, Resources, Geographic Locations
Ideology, Aims, Political Activities, Targets, and Tactics
First Attacks, Largest Attacks, Notable Attacks
Foreign Designations and Listings, Community Relations, Relations with Other Groups, State Sponsors and External Influences
Mapping relationships with other militant groups over time in regional maps
JA does not directly participate in Pakistani politics. JA has conducted attacks in response to political action. For example, on March 7, 2016, JA conducted a suicide bombing attack at a court in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. JA asserted that this attack was an act of revenge for the hanging of Mumtaz Qadri, a man who killed the governor of Punjab in 2011 for opposing blasphemy laws.[25] Furthermore, in February 2017, JA officially listed secular political parties as official targets.[26] Finally, JA also publishes a monthly magazine, Ihyae Kilafat, which covers a range of topics, including political matters.[27]
JA’s attacks have largely consisted of suicide bombings and the occasional use of vehicle-borne IED attacks.[28] JA has also launched two official operations. The first, Operation Saud-ul-Raad, was launched in 2016 as a series of martyrdom and hit and run attacks.[29] By early 2017, JA claimed that Operation Saud-ul-Raad had achieved its targets and announced that it would move on to conducting larger operations.[30]
In February 2017, JA launched Operation Ghazi in honor of Islamic fundamentalist Abdul Rashid Ghazi. As part of this operation, JA issued a statement naming various targets in Pakistan. JA’s stated targets include the following entities: Pakistani security forces and intelligence services, all legislative bodies, the judiciary and its supporting institutions, secular political parties, interest-based economic institutions, constructive and welfare organizations, government or Western-influenced educational institutions, and liberal writers, leaders, and media figures. JA forbade operations in Islamic places of worship, such as mosques and schools, as well as in public gathering places, such as markets and playgrounds, regardless of the presence of enemy forces. The group also claimed that it would not attack public welfare spots or non-Muslim places of worship, unless they were used in a combat-capacity by enemy forces.[31] However, despite these claims, JA conducted a suicide bombing at a market in Parachinar on March 31, 2017, with the intended target of a women’s mosque.[32]
Disclaimer: These are some selected major attacks in the militant organization's history. It is not a comprehensive listing but captures some of the most famous attacks or turning points during the campaign.
November 2, 2014: JA conducted a suicide attack at the Wagah border crossing between India and Pakistan (61 killed, 150+ wounded).[33]
December 29, 2015: JA conducted a vehicle-borne IED attack targeting a federal government office in Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (26 killed, 50 wounded).[34]
March 7, 2016: JA conducted a suicide bombing attack at a court in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province (14 killed, 30 wounded).[35]
March 27, 2016: JA conducted a suicide bombing attack targeting the Christian minority population in Gulshan-e-Iqbal Park, Lahore (72 killed, 300 wounded).[36]
August 8, 2016: JA and the Islamic State claimed joint responsibility for a suicide bombing targeting a hospital in the city of Quetta (70 killed, 120 wounded).[37]
September 16, 2016: JA conducted a suicide bombing attack targeting a mosque in the FATA (30 killed, 34 wounded).[38]
February 22, 2017: JA conducted a suicide bombing attack against Charsadda Court in Pakistan (7 killed, 22 wounded).[39]
March 31, 2017: JA conducted a suicide bombing attack at a market in Parachinar, which reportedly targeted a women’s mosque (22 killed, 57 wounded).[40]
June 23, 2017: JA and the Islamic State claimed joint responsibility for a suicide car bombing outside the office of Balochistan’s police chief (13 killed, 20 wounded).[41]
July 11, 2017: JA and the Islamic State claimed joint responsibility for an attack on the Pakistani police, during which Islamic gunmen killed a senior police official (4 killed, 0 wounded).[42]
JA publishes a monthly magazine in Urdu, called Ihyae Kilafat. The magazine covers a range of topics, including political matters, military reports, and religious messages. JA has also sought to bolster public support by publishing pro-JA articles in the Pakistani national media.[45]
In August 2014, JA separated from the TTP due to ideological disagreements between its founding leader, Omar Khalid Khorasani, and the then leader of the TTP, Maulana Fazlullah. Specifically, Khorasani did not agree with TTP’s decision to pursue peace talks with the Pakistani government and criticized the TTP for straying from its original goal of establishing a global Islamic caliphate.[46]
When JA announced its separation from the TTP in 2014, many observers suspected that it would soon formally announce its allegiance to the Islamic State. While there were some reports that JA pledged support to the Islamic State, they were not formally substantiated.[47] Regardless of their official ties, JA and the Islamic State have demonstrated their ability to cooperate by claiming joint responsibility for several attacks in Pakistan in 2016 and 2017.[48]
JA has allegedly sought to balance and leverage support from both the Islamic State and Al Qaeda, despite the ongoing feud between the latter two groups.[49]. JA has allegedly received funding and material support from Al Qaeda, due to Khorasani’s strong links to the organization.[50] JA has reportedly used this support to launch deadly attacks on Pakistani soil.[51]
In March 2015, following a joint consultative meeting with Lashkar-e-Islam, JA announced that it would realign with the TTP, while working to reform the militant organization.[52] A key factor that contributed to the JA’s realignment with the TTP was the desire to present a unified front against the Pakistani military’s large counter-terror offensive, Operation Zarb-e-Azb.[53] However, despite the nominal reunification of the groups, JA continued to function with a large degree of autonomy, directing its own attacks and issuing independent statements and publications.[54]
In April 2017, JA spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan claimed that the foreign intelligence agency of India, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), and Afghanistan's National Directorate of Security (NDS) were covertly backing JA. These agencies allegedly supported JA’s activities by providing funding and facilitating terror operations against the Pakistani government. Both the Afghan and Indian governments strongly denied Ehsan’s allegations, asserting that there was no credibility to the claims.[55] An Afghan security official dismissed Ehsan’s claims as an attempt by the Pakistani government to further the narrative that it is a victim of terrorism, while, in actuality, it is a sponsor of terrorism in Afghanistan and India.[56]
[1] Roggio, Bill. "Taliban splinter group Jamaat-ul-Ahrar forms in northwestern Pakistan.” FDD's Long War Journal, 26 Aug. 2014, www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2014/08/taliban_splinter_gro.php.
[2] Farooq, Umar, Zahir Sherazi, and Wasim Riaz. "TTP splinter groups claim Wagah attack; 60 dead.” Dawn, 3 Nov. 2014, https://www.dawn.com/news/1142006/ttp-splinter-groups-claim-wagah-attack-60-dead; “Tehrik-E Taliban Pakistan.” South Asia Terrorism Portal, n.d., http://www.satp.org/satporgtp/countries/pakistan/terroristoutfits/ttp.htm.
[3] Yousafzai, Gul. “Gunmen kill four police in Pakistani city of Quetta.” Reuters, 13 July, 2017, http://ca.reuters.com/article/topNews/idCAKBN19Y143-OCATP.
[4] Roggio, Bill. US State Department lists Jamaat-ul-Ahrar as terrorist group.” FDD’s Long War Journal, 3 Aug. 2016, http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2016/08/us-state-department-lists-jamaat-ul-ahrar-as-terrorist-group.php; Sherazi, Zahir Shah. "TTP Chief Mullah Fazlullah ousts Commander Umar Khorasani." Dawn, 7 Sept. 2014, https://www.dawn.com/news/1130446; Rana, Muhammad Amir. "Changing the militant landscape in Pakistan.” Geo TV, https://www.geo.tv/latest/131808-jamaat-ul-ahrar-a-new-militant-threat-in-pakistan.
[5] Roggio, Bill. "Taliban splinter group Jamaat-ul-Ahrar forms in northwestern Pakistan.” Long War Journal, 26 Aug. 2014, www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2014/08/taliban_splinter_gro.php.
[6] Farooq, Umar, Zahir Sherazi, and Wasim Riaz. "TTP splinter groups claim Wagah attack; 60 dead.” Dawn, 3 Nov. 2014, https://www.dawn.com/news/1142006/ttp-splinter-groups-claim-wagah-attack-60-dead.
[7] "Wagah attack suspects die in air strikes: Pakistan military.” Indo-Asian News Service, 12 Nov. 2014, www.india.com/news/world/wagah-attack-suspects-die-in-air-strikes-pakistan-military-191955/.
[8] Roggio, Bill. "Pakistani jihadist groups, Lashkar-i-Islam merge into the Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan.” Long War Journal, 12 Mar. 2015, www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2015/03/pakistani-jihadist-groups-lashkar-i-islam-merge-into-the-movement-of-the-taliban-in-pakistan.php.
[9] “Pakistan's Jamaat-ul-Ahrar: A Violent Domestic Threat.” Jamestown Foundation: Terrorism Monitor, vol. 14, no. 18, 16 Sept. 2016, http://www.refworld.org/docid/57dffc514.html.
[10] Roggio, Bill, and Caleb Weiss. "Pakistani Taliban faction showcases training camp, suicide attacks.” Long War Journal, 2 Feb. 2017, www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2017/02/pakistani-taliban-faction-showcases-training-camp-suicide-attacks.php.
[11] Ahmad, Jibran. "Pakistan says leader of school attack killed in U.S. drone strike." Reuters. July 14, 2016. reuters.com/article/idUSKCN0ZT21O.
[12] Roggio, Bill. “Leader of Jamaat-ul-Ahrar emerges after reports of his death.” Long War Journal, 22 Oct. 2017. https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2017/10/leader-of-jamaat-ul-ahra...
[13] “Strategic Code of Conduct for ‘Operation Ghazi,’” FATA Research Centre, 16 Feb. 2017, https://frc.org.pk/breaking/strategic-code-of-conduct-for-operation-ghazi/.
[14] Akbar, A. and Hassan Farhan. "22 killed in explosion outside imambargah in Parachinar market.” Dawn, 31 Mar. 2017, https://www.dawn.com/news/1323973/explosion-in-parachinar-market-5-killed.
[15] “Jaamat-ul-Ahrar/Jamatul Ahrar” Terrorism Research & Analysis Consortium.
[16] Ahmad, Jibran. "Pakistan says leader of school attack killed in U.S. drone strike." Reuters. 14 July, 2016. www.reuters.com/article/us-pakistan-taliban-idUSKCN0ZT21O.
[17] Roggio, Bill. “Leader of Jamaat-ul-Ahrar emerges after reports of his death.” Long War Journal, 22 Oct. 2017. https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2017/10/leader-of-jamaat-ul-ahra...
[18] Samaa Web Desk. "Ehsanullah Ehsan of Jamaat-ul-Ahrar has surrendered: DG ISPR." Samaa. 17 Apr. 2017. https://www.samaa.tv/pakistan/2017/04/ahsanullah-ahsan-of-jamaat-ul-ahra....
[19] Zahid, Farhan. "Jamaat ul-Ahrar: The New Face of Pakistan’s Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan.” Aberfoyle International Security, 29 Oct. 2014, http://www.aberfoylesecurity.com/?p=955.
[20] Roggio, Bill. "Taliban splinter group Jamaat-ul-Ahrar forms in northwestern Pakistan." Long War Journal. 26 Aug. 2014. www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2014/08/taliban_splinter_gro.php; "Jamaat-ul-Ahrar / Jamatul Ahrar (TTPJA)." Terrorism Research & Analysis Consortium. https://www.trackingterrorism.org/group/jamaat-ul-ahrar-jamatul-ahrar.
[21] Khan, Riaz, and Asif Shahzad. "Suicide bombings kill 6 in northwestern Pakistan." The Daily Progress. February 15, 2017. www.dailyprogress.com/official-suicide-attack-kills-in-northwestern-paki....
[22] Roggio, Bill. "Islamic State targets Sufi shrine in Pakistan suicide bombing." Long War Journal. 16 Feb. 2017. www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2017/02/islamic-state-targets-sufi-shrin....
[23] Roggio, Bill. "Taliban splinter group Jamaat-ul-Ahrar forms in northwestern Pakistan.” Long War Journal, 26 Aug. 2014, www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2014/08/taliban_splinter_gro.php.
[24] Roggio, Bill. "US State Department lists Jamaat-ul-Ahrar as terrorist group.” Long War Journal, 3 Aug. 2016, www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2016/08/us-state-department-lists-jamaat-ul-ahrar-as-terrorist-group.php.
[25] "Pakistan bomb: Fourteen killed in Qadri 'revenge' attack.” BBC, 7 Mar. 2016, www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-35743295.
[26] “Strategic Code of Conduct for ‘Operation Ghazi,’” FATA Research Centre, 16 Feb. 2017, https://frc.org.pk/breaking/strategic-code-of-conduct-for-operation-ghazi/.
[27] "Monitoring militant activity online - August/September 2016." Jane’s by IHS Markit, Aug./Sept. 2016, http://janes.ihs.com/IntelligenceReview/Display/1783170.
[28] Mohmand, Mureeb. "Targeting peace committee: Twin IED blasts in Mohmand Agency kill 7." The Express Tribune. 7 Nov. 2014. https://tribune.com.pk/story/787394/targetting-peace-committee-twin-ied-blasts-in-mohmand-agency-kill-7/.
[29] “At least 72 killed in Lahore. Taliban has claimed responsibility.” South Front, 27 Mar. 2017, https://southfront.org/suicide-attack-kills-at-least-69-in-lahore-army-deployed/ .
[30] “Jamaat-ul-Ahrar gives details of its targets in a video.” Pakistan Today, 14 Feb. 2017, https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2017/02/14/jamaat-ul-ahrar-gives-details-of-its-targets-in-a-video/.
[31] “Strategic Code of Conduct for ‘Operation Ghazi,’” FATA Research Centre, 16 Feb. 2017, https://frc.org.pk/breaking/strategic-code-of-conduct-for-operation-ghazi/.
[32] Akbar, A. and Hassan Farhan. "22 killed in explosion outside Imambargah in Parachinar market.” Dawn, 31 Mar. 2017, https://www.dawn.com/news/1323973/explosion-in-parachinar-market-5-killed.
[33] Farooq, Umar, Zahir Sherazi, and Wasim Riaz. "TTP splinter groups claim Wagah attack; 60 dead.” Dawn, 3 Nov. 2014, https://www.dawn.com/news/1142006/ttp-splinter-groups-claim-wagah-attack-60-dead; “Tehrik-E Taliban Pakistan.” South Asia Terrorism Portal, n.d., http://www.satp.org/satporgtp/countries/pakistan/terroristoutfits/ttp.htm.
[34] Bureau of Counterterrorism and Countering Violent Extremism, "Chapter 2. Country Reports: South and Central Asia Overview.” U.S. Department of State, 2015, https://www.state.gov/j/ct/rls/crt/2015/257518.htm.
[35] "Pakistan bomb: Fourteen killed in Qadri 'revenge' attack.” BBC, 7 Mar. 2016, www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-35743295.
[36] "Lahore attack: Pakistan 'detains 200' after Easter blast.” BBC, 29 Mar. 2016, www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-35916578.
[37] "Quetta hospital bombing: Pakistan Taliban claim attack.” BBC, 8 Aug. 2016, www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-37015640.
[38] Akbar, Ali. "Curfew in Mohmand as suicide attack death toll rises to 30.” Dawn, 17 Sept. 2016, https://www.dawn.com/news/1284337.
[39] Muhammad, Faiz. "‘Uzbek’ militants storm court in Charsadda; seven killed.” Dawn, 22 Feb. 2017, https://www.dawn.com/news/1316234.
[40] Akbar, A. and Hassan Farhan. "22 killed in explosion outside imambargah in Parachinar market.” Dawn, 31 Mar. 2017, https://www.dawn.com/news/1323973/explosion-in-parachinar-market-5-killed.
[41] Mohammad Zafar, “Suicide car bombing kills 13 in Quetta.” The Express Tribune, 23 June, 2017, https://tribune.com.pk/story/1442639/5-killed-bomb-explosion-outside-igp-office-quetta/.
[42] Yousafzai, Gul. “Gunmen kill four police in Pakistani city of Quetta.” Reuters, 13 July, 2017, http://ca.reuters.com/article/topNews/idCAKBN19Y143-OCATP.
[43] "State Department Terrorist Designations of Jamaat-ul-Ahrar and Mohamed Abrini.” U.S. Department of State, 3 Aug. 2016, https://www.state.gov/j/ct/rls/other/des/266488.htm.
[44] “Narrative Summaries of Reasons for Listing- Jaamat-ul-Ahrar.” United Nations Security Council Subsidiary Organs, 6 Jul. 2017, https://www.un.org/sc/suborg/en/sanctions/1267/aq_sanctions_list/summari...
[45] "Monitoring militant activity online - August/September 2016." Jane’s by IHS Markit, Aug./Sept. 2016, http://janes.ihs.com/IntelligenceReview/Display/1783170.
[46] Roggio, Bill. US State Department lists Jamaat-ul-Ahrar as terrorist group.” FDD’s Long War Journal. 3 Aug. 2016, http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2016/08/us-state-department-lists-jamaat-ul-ahrar-as-terrorist-group.php; Sherazi, Zahir Shah. "TTP Chief Mullah Fazlullah ousts Commander Umar Khorasani.” Dawn, 7 Sept. 2014, https://www.dawn.com/news/1130446; Rana, Muhammad Amir. "Changing the militant landscape in Pakistan.” Geo TV, https://www.geo.tv/latest/131808-jamaat-ul-ahrar-a-new-militant-threat-in-pakistan.
[47] Rassler, Don. "Situating the Emergence of the Islamic State of Khorasan.” Combatting Terrorism Center, 19 Mar. 2015, https://www.ctc.usma.edu/posts/situating-the-emergence-of-the-islamic-state-of-khorasan.
[48] Yousafzai, Gul. “Gunmen kill four police in Pakistani city of Quetta.” Reuters, 13 July, 2017, http://ca.reuters.com/article/topNews/idCAKBN19Y143-OCATP.
[49] Rassler, Don. "Situating the Emergence of the Islamic State of Khorasan.” Combatting Terrorism Center, 19 Mar. 2015, https://www.ctc.usma.edu/posts/situating-the-emergence-of-the-islamic-state-of-khorasan
[50] Zahid, Farhan. "Jamaat ul-Ahrar: The New Face of Pakistan’s Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan.” Aberfoyle International Security, 29 Oct. 2014, http://www.aberfoylesecurity.com/?p=955.
[51] Zahid, Farhan. "Jamaat ul-Ahrar: The New Face of Pakistan’s Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan.” Aberfoyle International Security, 29 Oct. 2014, http://www.aberfoylesecurity.com/?p=955.
[52] Roggio, Bill. "Pakistani jihadist groups, Lashkar-i-Islam merge into the Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan.” Long War Journal, 12 Mar. 2015, www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2015/03/pakistani-jihadist-groups-lashkar-i-islam-merge-into-the-movement-of-the-taliban-in-pakistan.php.
[53] “Pakistan's Jamaat-ul-Ahrar: A Violent Domestic Threat.” Jamestown Foundation: Terrorism Monitor, vol. 14, no. 18, 16 Sept. 2016, http://www.refworld.org/docid/57dffc514.html.
[54] Roggio, Bill, and Caleb Weiss. "Pakistani Taliban Faction Showcases Training Camp, Suicide Attacks.” FDD’s Long War Journal, 2 Feb. 2017, http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2017/02/pakistani-taliban-faction-showcases-training-camp-suicide-attacks.php.
[55] “India denies Taliban spokesman’s claims of RAW funding Pakistan attacks.” India TV, 27 Apr. 2017, http://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india-india-denies-taliban-spokesman-s-claims-of-raw-funding-pakistan-attacks-378980; “No credibility in ex-Taliban spokesperson’s claims of India, Afghanistan funding militants: Centre.” Scroll.in, 27 Apr. 2017, https://scroll.in/latest/835789/no-credibility-in-ex-taliban-spokespersons-claims-of-india-afghanistan-funding-militants-centre; Hassan, Syed Raza. “India, Afghanistan gave help to Pakistani Taliban, says group’s ex-spokesman.” Reuters, 26 Apr. 2017, http://www.reuters.com/article/us-pakistan-militants-idUSKBN17S1VN.
[56] Hassan, Syed Raza. “India, Afghanistan gave help to Pakistani Taliban, says group’s ex-spokesman.” Reuters, 26 Apr. 2017, http://www.reuters.com/article/us-pakistan-militants-idUSKBN17S1VN.