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The foot soldiers

Lashkar has two dozen division commanders and area commanders. Below them are the battalion commanders.

According to a reliable estimate more than 1,000 foot soldiers work under the battalion commanders.

Lashkar's Kashmir leadership has some four to five Pakistanis. Nearly 80 percent of the foot soldiers are foreigners known by security agencies as 'FT' (foreign terrorists).

Although counter-terrorism operations in Jammu and Kashmir are low profile, Indian agents have penetrated the Lashkar-e-Tayiba and discovered many weakness that can be exploited.

Kari-Saif-ul-Rehman, Hyder Ekrar and others are known to have a fondness for women. But they are, without exception, highly motivated. Abdul Hasan, Lashkar's south division commander, is profiled by security agencies as a god-fearing terrorist who behaves like 'a gentleman.' All are pro-Pakistan and produce identical statements when arrested.

The identity of Hyder Ekrar, Lashkar's leader in Bandipora, is doubtful. He is most likely a Pakistani and reportedly lives like a king. He has been nicknamed Charlie One by Indian agents. Ekrar is one of the brains behind the December 13, 2001attack on the Indian Parliament. Abu Rafi, Lashkar's deputy district commander in Baramulla, managed the finances for the attack.

Image: Weapons seized from the terrorists

Also Read: The quake has strengthened jihad

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