Israel Bans Lashkar-e-Taiba Terror Group

Jerusalem, 21 November, 2023 (TPS) -- New Delhi, November 21 (ANI)
Amid the 15th year of commemoration of the Mumbai terror attacks, Israel announced a ban on the Lashkar-e-Taiba terror group on Tuesday, calling it a ‘deadly’ and ‘reprehensible’ terror organization.

The action was taken without any request by the government of India, the Israel Embassy in India said in a statement.

“Israel ministers of Defense and Foreign Affairs have jointly worked in last few months towards an expedited and extraordinary listing of the Lashkar -e- Taiba organization on this date, to highlight the importance of a unified global front in combating terrorism,” the statement said.

The statement added that Israel only blacklists terror groups that are actively working against it from within or around its borders, or those designated as terror groups by international organizations such as the UN Security Council or the US State Department.

The embassy affirmed that the Pakistan-based Lashkar -e- Taiba is responsible for murder of hundreds of Indian civilians as well as others.

It noted, “Lashkar -e- Taiba is a deadly and reprehensible terror organization, responsible for the murder of hundreds of Indian civilians as well as others. Its heinous actions on November 26, 2008 still reverberate in force, through all peace seeking nations and societies.”

“The state of Israel offers its sincere condolences to all victims of terrorism and to the survivors and bereaved families of the Mumbai attacks, including those in Israel. We stand with you united in the hope for a better peaceful future,” it added.

Earlier in 2008, multiple terror attacks occurred in Mumbai.

The attacks were carried out by 10 gunmen connected to Lashkar-e-Taiba. Armed with automatic weapons and hand grenades, the terrorists targeted civilians at numerous sites in the southern part of Mumbai, including the Chhatrapati Shivaji railway station, the popular Leopold Cafe, two hospitals, and a theatre.

While most of the attacks ended within a few hours after they began at around 9:30 pm on November 26, the terror continued to unfold at three locations where hostages were taken–the Nariman House, and the luxury hotels Oberoi Trident and Taj Mahal Palace & Tower.