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
The Asian Tigers shared its ideology with other Deoband Sunni groups, such as Hakat-ul-Jiahdi-Islami (HuJI). The group’s main goal was to wage Jihad in Kashmir, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. Its other stated goal was to fight Pakistan Army and Pakistani state assets.[8]
The group was not known to have political links; however, Maulana Abdul Aziz, member of Jamat-e-Ulema-Islami (F), a mainstream religious political party of Pakistan, was known to have had links with the Asian Tigers. He reportedly pressured the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) to expel 14 militants belonging to the Asian Tigers.[9]
The main targets of the group were Pakistan Army, Pakistan state assets, and intelligence conduits. The only publicly known tactic employed by the group has been kidnappings for ransom.
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.
May 2010: The Asian Tigers kidnapped retired ISI officals Khalid Khawaja and Colonel Imam. In May 2010, the group killed Khwaja in Mir Ali, North Waziristan (1 killed).[10]
This group has not been designated as a terrorist organization by any major national government or international body.
The Asian Tigers was primarily composed of Punjabi militants and drew support from Punjabi communities. Additionally, it was also supported by elements of the Mehsud tribe of the North Waziristan Agency.[11]
Little is known about the Asian Tigers’ relationship with other groups.The Asian Tigers was comprised of former members of TTP, HuJI, and LeJ. The group maintained links with these other organizations.[12] The Asian Tigers wielded considerable influence in North Waziristan agency. This power came from the backing of HuJI and 313 Brigade chief Ilyas Kashmiri. Additionally, the Asian Tigers are known to be vehemently opposed to groups receiving Pakistani state support – either directly or indirectly through intelligence agencies – such as Lashkar-e-Taiyba.[13]
Following the group’s 2010 kidnapping of two ISI officials, the Asian Tigers demanded the release of two senior Afghan Taliban commanders in exchange for the release of its hostages. The Afghan Taliban publicly distanced itself from the Asian Tigers following this incident and stated that it had “nothing to do with the group.”[14]
There is no observable evidence that this group receives external support from foreign governments or third parties.
[1] Syed Saleem Shahzad, "Confessions of a Pakistani spy," Asia Times Online, April 24, 2010, http://atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/LD24Df04.html.
[2] Arif Jamal, "The Asian Tigers – The New Face of the Punjabi Taliban," Terrorism Monitor, May 20, 2010.
[3] “Afghan Taliban Distance Themselves from 'Asian Tigers'.” World | Thenews.com.pk |, TheNews International, 22 Apr. 2010, www.thenews.com.pk/archive/print/233104-afghan-taliban-distance-themselv....
[4] "In Pakistan, ex-spy Khalid Khawaja's killing is surrounded by mystery", May 3, 2010, http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/02/AR2010050202801.html
[5] Waqar Gillani and Jane Perlez, "Attackers Hit Mosques of Islamic Sect in Pakistan," The New York Times, May 28, 2010, sec. World / Asia Pacific, http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/29/world/asia/29pstan.html?_r=1.
[6] Mushtaq Yusufzai, "'Asian Tigers' kill Khalid Khwaja on expiry of deadline," The News, May 1, 2010, http://www.thenews.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?Id=28577
[7] Arif Jamal, "The Asian Tigers – The New Face of the Punjabi Taliban," Terrorism Monitor, May 20, 2010.
[8] Arif Jamal, "The Asian Tigers – The New Face of the Punjabi Taliban," Terrorism Monitor, May 20, 2010.
[9] Arif Jamal, "The Asian Tigers – The New Face of the Punjabi Taliban," Terrorism Monitor, May 20, 2010.
[10] "In Pakistan, ex-spy Khalid Khawaja's killing is surrounded by mystery", May 3, 2010, http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/02/AR2010050202801.html
[11] Mushtaq Yusufzai, "'Asian Tigers' kill Khalid Khwaja on expiry of deadline," The News, May 1, 2010, http://www.thenews.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?Id=28577.
[12] Mushtaq Yusufzai, "'Asian Tigers' kill Khalid Khwaja on expiry of deadline," The News, May 1, 2010, http://www.thenews.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?Id=28577.
[13] Syed Saleem Shahzad, "Confessions of a Pakistani spy," Asia Times Online, April 24, 2010, http://atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/LD24Df04.html.
[14] “Afghan Taliban Distance Themselves from 'Asian Tigers'.” World | Thenews.com.pk |, TheNews International, 22 Apr. 2010, www.thenews.com.pk/archive/print/233104-afghan-taliban-distance-themselv....