The organization was formed in late 80s by Osama Bin Laden who had come to Afghanistan to fight against the Soviet forces. The literal meaning of Al-Qaeda is “The Base”. Al-Qaeda’s network includes outfits which are operating in estimated 65 countries worldwide. The group propagates armed militancy against Western countries and their allies in the Muslim World. [35]

[35] National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START).Al-Qaeda.Retrieved on: August 6, 2013.Retrieved from: http://www.start.umd.edu/start/data_collections/tops/terrorist_organization_profile.asp?id=6.