For decades the country has permitted a number of jihadist groups to openly operate under its aegis. A map highlights the more prominent groups openly operating inside Pakistan.

Jani Khel in Paktia province has changed hands three times over the past two weeks. The loss of Jani Khel to the Taliban demonstrates the difficulties Afghan forces face in holding onto remote contested districts.

While the operational tempo of jihadist groups based in Pakistan has decreased significantly, they are still capable of executing horrific attacks and remain a major threat to the Pakistani state.

According to multiple reports, al Qaeda and its newest regional branch, al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent, are operating in the southern Afghan province of Helmand. Terrorists are being trained in Helmand to carry out operations throughout Southeast Asia. And As Sahab, al Qaeda’s propaganda arm, has operatives in the province as well.

Malik Ishaq has been in and out of Pakistani custody over the years, despite the fact that he was the head of one of the most violent jihadist groups in Pakistan and directed numerous terror attacks.

Matiur Rehman, who has served as a senior al Qaeda leader and the operations chief for Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, brought three Pakistani jihadist groups into the fold of the Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan.

The spokesman for al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) has released a statement condemning the Pakistani Taliban’s attack on a Peshawar school earlier this week, calling it “un-Islamic.”

From Florida to al Qaeda: terror group’s external operations chief spent last years at Iran-Pakistan-Afghan border

Attack on Journalist Starts Battle in Pakistani Press

Pakistani leader of banned sectarian group gets parliament seat

Malik Ishaq leads the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, an al Qaeda-linked group that has conducted numerous suicide attacks in Pakistan and has targeted Americans.

Steeped in ancient mysticism, passion of Sufis infuriates Taliban

Pakistan militants prepare for war in Afghanistan after foreign forces withdraw

Prison escapee evolves into Qaeda-backed jailbreak artist

Inside Quetta: daily life in a terrorist haven

The group said it killed more than 50 Shia at a market in Parachinar, Pakistan to avenge Sunnis killed in Syria.

A suicide assault team hit an Inter-Services Intelligence Directorate headquarters in Sukkur, while a suicide bomber detonated outside a police station in the town.

Pakistan grapples with rising tide of extremist violence

Many of the fighters are from the Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan and the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, the anti-Shia terror group that serves as muscle for al Qaeda.

Three members of a suicide assault team killed security guards at the mosque, allowing one of the bombers to detonate his vest as Shia worshipers were offering Friday prayers.

Fighting terrorism

A female suicide bomber killed female college students on a bus, then a suicide assault team struck a hospital where the wounded were taken.

Pakistan – Christian representatives seek ‘mass asylum’ in US, EU, Canada and Australia

Extremists Pursue Mainstream in Pakistan Election

Insight: Pakistan cleric tries hand at politics

Taliban in Karachi: the real story

Wave of terror: Anti-Shia propaganda and threats emerge in Lahore

Amid Pakistan sectarian violence, Sunnis saved Shiites

Security woes: Military chiefs raise red flag over Karachi unrest

Pakistan – PML-N urged to sever ties with terrorist groups
