( CNN ) -- The United States and its allies have plenty to worry about in Afghanistan and Pakistan , with al Qaeda , two Talibans , the Haqqani Network and a plethora of other militant groups active . But the United States and intelligence analysts believe another group , one of Pakistan 's most powerful and well-established , is also broadening its horizons . It is Lashkar-e-Tayyiba , which means `` Army of the Pure . '' It was blamed for the attack on Mumbai , India , hotels in November 2008 in which nearly 200 people were killed over three days . That attack `` shows the organization 's global ambitions , '' said Dan Benjamin , the U.S. State Department 's coordinator for counterterrorism . Bernjamin has been in Islamabad meeting Pakistani officials this week as part of a `` strategic dialogue '' between the United States and Pakistan . Lashkar-e-Tayyiba `` appears to have a very complex mix of indigenous and international targets , '' Benjamin said at a U.S. Embassy briefing Thursday . `` We are working with Pakistan 's civilian authorities to investigate further into this organization , but definitely [ Lashkar-e-Tayyiba ] maintains some level of connections with al Qaeda , '' Benjamin said at the briefing [ WHEN added above ] . Earlier this year , Benjamin said of the Mumbai attacks : `` The target was set directly out of [ Osama ] bin Laden 's book , filling the gap created by a diminished al Qaeda . '' Lashkar-e-Tayyiba claims it is focused on the same issue as it was when created : freeing the disputed territory of Kashmir from Indian rule , experts say . In a rare interview earlier this year , the man widely regarded as the organization lader , Hafiz Muhammad Saeed , told The Independent newspaper that the group was not involved in the Mumbai attacks , despite substantial evidence to the contrary . Lashkar-e-Tayyiba was allegedly behind several high-profile attacks in India . And it is precisely because it is aimed at India 's presence in Kashmir that the organization has been tolerated and even supported by Pakistani officials over the years -- even after it was banned there in 2002 , intelligence officials and some Pakistani officials say . The current Pakistani ambassador to Washington , Husain Haqqani , wrote three years ago that Lashkar-e-Tayyiba was `` backed by Saudi money and protected by Pakistani intelligence services . '' Saeed has been periodically put under house arrest when things have got a little overheated , but the group maintains an expansive compound near Lahore in Punjab and according to intelligence analysts remains well-connected to elements of Pakistan 's Inter-Services Intelligence or ISI . NATO in Afghanistan believes Lashkar is extensively involved with militant groups there . Friday , the International Security Assistance Force said it had detained a Taliban commander in the eastern Nangahar province who had `` assisted with the recent influx of [ Lashkar-e-Tayyiba ] insurgents into the province . '' They are believed to have worked with the Haqqani Network to carry out attacks on Indian targets in Kabul , including several this year . Much to Pakistan 's consternation , India has expanded its presence in Afghanistan , especially through Indian government-aided construction and training projects , since the overthrow of the Taliban . Lashkar-e-Tayyiba fighters are also believed to have joined the Taliban in attacks on U.S . Forward Operating Bases in eastern Afghanistan over the last couple of years . One scholar who has long studied Lashkar believes it is well placed to expand its activities . `` Evidence suggests Lashkar has support cells in the Persian Gulf , Britain , North America , mainland Europe , and possibly Australia , '' wrote Stephen Tankel this year in a paper for the New America Foundation . The case of David Headley suggests that is the case . The Pakistani-born American citizen confessed this year to a planning role in the Mumbai attacks and a conspiracy with senior figures in Lashkar-e-Tayyiba to attack the office in Copenhagen of the Danish newspaper that published cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed in 2005 . He said he visited Pakistan several times to meet with Lashkar leaders .
Lashkar - e - Tayyiba blamed for attack on Mumbai , Delhi , hotels in November 2008 . Organization has ` ` complex mix of indigenous and international targets , '' State Department says . Lashkar - e - Kashmir says it is focused only on freeing Kashmir from Indian rule , experts say . Taliban - e - Tayyiba joined Taliban in attack on U.S. bases in Afghanistan , experts say .