Who: Al-Qa‘ida in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS)
Founded: Announced in 2014 as Al‑Qaida’s South Asia branch
Region they operate: Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh
Allies and enemies: Loyal to Al‑Qaida core; opposes regional governments and Western presence
Who: ISIS‑Khorasan (ISIS‑K)
Founded: 2015 by defectors from the Taliban and other militants
Region they operate: Eastern Afghanistan, parts of Pakistan, and external plots
Allies and enemies: Aligned with ISIS; at odds with the Taliban, regional states, and Western forces
Who: Tehrik‑e Taliban Pakistan (TTP)
Founded: 2007 as an umbrella for Pakistani Taliban factions
Region they operate: Pakistan’s northwest and Afghanistan–Pakistan borderlands
Allies and enemies: Cooperates at times with Afghan Taliban elements; main enemy is the Pakistani state
Who: Hizbul Mujahideen (HM)
Founded: Late 1980s in Kashmir
Region they operate: Indian‑administered Kashmir and Pakistan‑administered areas
Allies and enemies: Receives support from networks in Pakistan; opposes Indian security forces
Who: Jaish‑e‑Mohammad (JEM)
Founded: 2000 in Pakistan
Region they operate: Pakistan and Indian‑administered Kashmir
Allies and enemies: Part of Pakistan‑based jihadist milieu; targets Indian security forces and symbols
Who: Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU)
Founded: Late 1990s in Central Asia
Region they operate: Uzbekistan and Afghanistan–Pakistan border areas
Allies and enemies: Historically tied to Al‑Qaida and the Taliban; enemies are Central Asian regimes and partners
Who: Islamic Jihad Union (IJU)
Founded: Early 2000s as an offshoot of the IMU
Region they operate: Afghanistan–Pakistan region, Central Asia, and plots in Europe
Allies and enemies: Has cooperated with Al‑Qaida and Taliban elements; opposes regional regimes and NATO forces
Who: Jaysh al‑Adl (formerly Jundallah)
Founded: Early 2010s as a successor to Jundallah
Region they operate: Iran’s Sistan‑Baluchistan and the border with Pakistan
Allies and enemies: Sunni Baloch insurgent group; main enemy is the Iranian state
