Few days ago, social media accounts linked to the terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) released a video showcasing prayers being held inside their notorious Markaz-e-Taiba facility in Muridke, Pakistan. This development came just days after India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, striking multiple terror hubs across Pakistan, including a radicalization center operated by LeT’s founder and leader, terrorist Mohammed Saeed.
The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Friday (May 9), 2 days after Indian struck at terror hubs inside Pakistan, decided to allow for “an immediate disbursement” of $1 billion (around Rs 8,500 crore) to Pakistan. This disbursal was done as part of IMF’s Extended Fund Facility (EFF) to Pakistan. Clearly the money is not being put to good cause.
The Muridke Markaz: A Terror Nursery
Located approximately 30 kilometers north of Lahore in Pakistan’s Punjab province, the Muridke Markaz, also known as Markaz-e-Taiba, spans over 200 acres and serves as the operational headquarters for LeT. Established in 1988 by Saeed and his associates, the complex operates under the guise of Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD), a front organization posing as a religious and charitable institution. In reality, the Markaz functions as a terror nursery, indoctrinating and training children and young adults to carry out terrorist attacks in India.
The facility has been linked to several high-profile terror incidents, including the 2008 Mumbai attacks, and has historical ties to al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. Under Saeed’s , the Markaz has evolved into a central hub for terror group LeT’s activities, including recruitment, ideological indoctrination, and operational planning. Saeed’s influence extends beyond the facility, as he promotes jihadist ideologies through various affiliated organizations, solidifying the Markaz’s role as the nerve center of LeT’s terror network.
India’s Operation Sindoor targeted key terror infrastructure in Pakistan, including LeT’s radicalization centers. The strikes aimed to disrupt the group’s ability to train and deploy terrorists across the border. The timing of the pro-LeT video, released just two days after the operation, suggests an attempt to project that terror hub is a hydra headed monster.
Since its inception, the Muridke Markaz has grown into a sophisticated terror facility. Its sprawling campus, strategically located near Lahore, provides ample space for training and planning. While it publicly claims to focus on religious education and charity, these activities serve as a cover for its primary role: preparing individuals for cross-border terrorism. Saeed’s leadership has been instrumental in expanding LeT’s reach, with the Markaz playing a pivotal role in the group’s operations.
As India intensifies its efforts to counter cross-border terrorism, the Muridke Markaz remains a focal point of concern. Its continued operation underscores the challenges in dismantling deeply entrenched terror networks and highlights the need for sustained international cooperation.