New Delhi, April 18 (NationPress) Recent developments indicate significant rifts within the Pakistani establishment regarding the resurgence of terrorist organizations and shifts in leadership.

It is widely recognized that Pakistan's Army Chief and Field Marshal, Asim Munir, is dissatisfied with the performance of the ISI.

He has called for accountability concerning the recent surge in unexplained terrorist shootings within Pakistan, a phenomenon that has been increasingly apparent since 2023.

Field Marshal Munir is also frustrated by the Intelligence community's failures in monitoring both the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA).

However, the paramount issue for the ISI and the Pakistan Army lies in the growing discord within the Lashkar-e-Taiba, the establishment's favored proxy group. The ISI prefers Lashkar-e-Taiba over Jaish-e-Mohammad due to the former's consistent loyalty.

An official from the Intelligence Bureau disclosed that the core of this rift pertains to leadership. Many members of the outfit are questioning the continued effectiveness of Hafiz Saeed at the helm.

They argue that Saeed, at 76, is past his prime and should step aside for a younger leader. Moreover, several in the organization view Saeed as a mere puppet who should occasionally challenge the establishment's authority, the official stated.

Central to this conflict is Saifullah Kasuri, the current second-in-command of Lashkar-e-Taiba.

At 58, Kasuri believes he should be in charge. He has repeatedly advocated for a leadership overhaul, asserting that it's time for the 76-year-old Hafiz Saeed to retire.

While Kasuri enjoys the backing of the younger members, the older faction remains resistant to removing Hafiz Saeed.

An official noted that tensions have been brewing for almost two years, previously kept under wraps until the Indian military executed 'Operation Sindoor' in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack. This incident not only prompted Lashkar-e-Taiba to question the Pakistani establishment but also its leadership.

Many, including Kasuri, have argued that Hafiz Saeed should have openly criticized the establishment for its inability to safeguard them.

Despite the loss of Lashkar-e-Taiba's primary training facility in Muridke, Hafiz Saeed remained silent.

Another official emphasized that many within Lashkar-e-Taiba feel Hafiz Saeed is too old to lead. They contend that he has fulfilled his role and should allow Kasuri to take charge. This disagreement is a significant reason for the discord between the ISI and the Army.

The Army favors Kasuri's leadership, while the ISI insists on retaining Hafiz Saeed.

The ISI argues that Hafiz Saeed is a reliable and proven leader whose loyalty is unquestionable.

Conversely, Kasuri is perceived as a potential rebel, a risk the ISI aims to avoid, according to the official.

While leadership disputes are the primary cause of this significant split, other issues are also contributing factors.

Kasuri believes that Lashkar-e-Taiba's focus should be exclusively on Jammu and Kashmir.

In contrast, Hafiz Saeed has passively accepted Pakistan's evolving strategies, whether concerning the TTP or the Afghan Taliban.

Officials have commented that Operation Sindoor laid bare the weaknesses within Lashkar-e-Taiba.

This operation has exacerbated the challenges for the group, which is struggling to rebuild its reputation.

Consequently, many members have lost confidence in Hafiz Saeed's leadership, particularly in light of his ineffectiveness during and following Operation Sindoor, the official concluded.