Lashkar al-Zil

The Lashkar al-Zil or Shadow Army (also known as Jaish al Usrah, or the Army of the Protective Shield[1]) is a paramilitary organization linked to al-Qaeda and descended from the 055 Brigade.[2] According to Syed Saleem Shahzad, it "comprises the Pakistani Taliban, 313 Brigade, the Afghan Taliban, Hezb-e-Islami Afghanistan and former Iraqi Republican Guards".[3] Lashkar al-Zil has reportedly been led by Khalid Habib al Shami (killed October 2008),[2] Abdullah Said al Libi (killed December 2009), and Ilyas Kashmiri (killed June 3, 2011).[3][4]

Fighters of Lashkar al-Zil in Swat, Pakistan.

The Lashkar al-Zil has been involved in attacks in Afghanistan's eastern and southern provinces.[5] News reports have linked it to several specific attacks, including the Camp Chapman attack (December 30, 2009)[3] and the Sudhnati suicide bombing (January 6, 2010).[6]

References
  1. Bill Roggio. Al Qaeda Brigade 313 website goes online. Long War Journal, August 2, 2010
  2. Roggio, Bill (2009-02-09). "Al Qaeda's paramilitary 'Shadow Army'". The Long War Journal. Retrieved 2010-01-07.
  3. Shahzad, Syed Saleem (2010-01-05). "US spies walked into al-Qaeda's trap". Asia Times Online. Retrieved 2010-01-07.
  4. Roggio, Bill (2010-01-07). "US killed al Qaeda's Lashkar al Zil commander in airstrike". The Long War Journal. Retrieved 2010-01-07.
  5. Reid, Robert H.; Gannon, Kathy; Farrar, Jennifer (2009-10-06). "Al-Qaida Showing Smaller Presence In Afghanistan". Huffington Post. Associated Press. Retrieved 2010-01-08. "In my opinion al-Qaida fighters from the Lashkar al-Zil are actively involved in all Taliban fronts, from Nuristan in the north to Helmand in the south," [University of Massachusetts associate professor Bryan Glyn] Williams said.
  6. Mir, Amir (2010-01-11). "Lashkar-e-Zil behind Azad Kashmir suicide hits". The News International. Retrieved 2010-01-31. there are clear indications that the January 6, 2010 attack targeting a military installation in the Sudhnoti district of Azad Kashmir, which killed four Pakistani soldiers...[was] masterminded by the Lashkar-e-Zil.


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