Amir Hamza (Lashkar-e-Taiba)
Amir Hamza | |
|---|---|
| Personal details | |
| Born | 10 May 1959 Sheikhupura, Punjab, Pakistan |
| Political party | Milli Muslim League |
| Occupation | Theologist, alim and author |
| Known for | Founding member of Lashkar-e-Taiba |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Lashkar-e-Taiba Afghan mujahideen (1979–1992) |
| Battles/wars | Soviet-Afghan war Kashmir conflict Insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir |
Amir Hamza (born 10 May 1959) is a founding leader of the Islamist, Salaji jihadist militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba based in Pakistan.He is regarded as its second most important leader, after Hafiz Saeed. Hamza was designated as a terrorist by the United States Treasury.
Described as "a fiery speaker and a prolific writer," he is also considered to be "the top LeT ideologue." Hamza is believed to sit on its Central Committee. He is said to have negotiated for the release of other leaders, and to have led LeT's campaigns for charitable donations, and to have been the founding editor of LeT's official publication Majallah al-Daawa.
In 2002 Hamza published Qafila Da'wat aur Shahadat (Caravan of Proselytizing and Martydom).
In 2018, Hamza formed the Jaish-e-Manqafa as a fund-raising front for the LeT, due to a ban on the Jamat-ud-Dawa and Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation (other LeT fronts) by the Pakistani government, and continues to openly solicit for funds under that name in Pakistan.