Lashkar members training in scuba diving disguised as tourists on Charna Island near Karachi, Indian sources claim

Members of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) are receiving training in maritime operations disguised as tourists on an island near Karachi in Pakistan, it has been reported. Indian outlet NDTV reported the information citing people directly aware of the matter.

Citing sources, the report said LeT members are being trained in scuba diving, combat swimming and various underwater operations at Charna Island, a popular diving spot just 50 kilometres from Karachi. Intelligence agencies know this group as LeT's 'Dawah Marine Wing' or 'Sada-i-Hurriyat'.

According to the report, the members training on the island are presented as if they were ordinary tourists who came for recreation and scuba diving. The training is being delivered mainly by members of the Pakistan Markazi Muslim League (PMML), described as a proxy or front organisation of LeT itself.

Citing intelligence information, the report said LeT is making a strong effort to build its capability to carry out military activities through waterways.

Information about this group's training had earlier also emerged at the Mangla Dam in Pakistan-administered Kashmir and at temporary swimming pools built at various militant launch pads. The report noted that India has destroyed several of those bases in recent years through bombing and cruise missile strikes.

The report also said the LeT team that carried out the 2008 terrorist attack in Mumbai had entered the city by sea. LeT maintained a small marine squad after that incident; sources claim it is now making a strong attempt to carry out a large-scale attack by sea. The sources said Indian security agencies are aware of the matter and are prepared to counter any threat arriving by sea.

The report noted that during 'Operation Sindoor' in May 2025, airstrikes destroyed nine major militant camps and infrastructure, including LeT's headquarters at Muridke in Pakistan and launch pads near the Line of Control (LoC).

Separately, Counter Intelligence Kashmir (CIK) raided six locations across the union territory on Friday morning. The step was taken after evidence emerged of an LeT module involved in encouraging young people towards extremism and recruiting members through social media, it was reported.

CIK members searched locations in Budgam, Srinagar, Bijbehara, Mattan in Anantnag and a village in Pulwama. Digital devices, documents and other evidence were seized during the raids, sources said.