The arrest of three suspected Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) operatives in the Capital has alarmed security agencies. This is the first instance when the outfit’s attempt to set up a base in the disturbed Northeast region and forge links with ethnic insurgent groups has come to light. Evidence of other similar groups operating in the region had been established earlier.

The three terrorists — Khurshid, Rehman and Hussein — hail from the Pangal community of Manipur, who are indigenous Muslims in the state. Kori is also linked to the Peoples’ United Liberation Front (PULF), an essentially Pangal outfit, but supposedly a weaker group among the 20-odd organisations operating in the state.

Sources dismissed the possibility of LeT spreading wings in Manipur, but said such efforts could be on since it would have several advantages for the Pakistan-based group. First, the state has a 398-km long border with Myanmar and there are no plans to erect a fence there on the lines of the Indo-Bangla border.

Secondly, Manipur is adjacent to territories in Myanmar, like the Somra tracts and Chin Province, which are inhabited by tribal insurgents who have not yet signed ceasefire agreements with Yangon. The sources said it was always easier for outfits to firm up alliances among themselves in disturbed conditions for want of assistance.

PULF was founded in 1993 with the objective to safeguard the interests of the minority Muslim community in Manipur. Due to its low revenue turnover and less cadre strength, it functions in alliance with some other groups.

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