Lashkar, which is working under the Markaz Al Dawah Wal Irshad (centre for religious learning and propagation) blames deposed Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for forcing them to withdraw from Kargil. "We were shamed by Nawaz Sharif, who made us withdraw," says Prof Zafar Iqbal, vice-chancellor of the centre situated at Muridke near Lahore.

The activities of Laskar has also caused great concern for the United States, which proposes to brand it as a foreign terrorist organisation. The legal procedure in this regard is now underway, said Michael Sheehan, US coordinator for counter-terrorism.

Testifying before the international relations committee of the House, he acknowledged that Pakistan had become a fertile ground for 'jehad factories'.

Prof Zafar said in a recent interview with Pakistan newsmen that many of the students of the Markaz Al Dawah go to Muzzafarabad for training where several camps have been set up. These camps are out of bounds for the common people.

He said there has been no let-up in the activities of the militant organisation and the aim is to attain 'independence for Kashmir or absorption into Pakistan'. But he was quick to point out, "We don't fight in India."

UNI