Masood Azhar's sisters go online for new terror recruits and JeM funding
In a significant shift in strategy, the Pakistan-based terror organization Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) has launched an online training and recruitment course specifically targeting women, according to intelligence sources. The move comes shortly after the official announcement of the terror outfit's first-ever women’s wing, dubbed 'Jamaat-ul-Mominaat'.
The new online course, named 'Tufat al-Muminat', is designed to aggressively recruit female members and collect funds to bolster the organization's struggling infrastructure.
Recruitment driven by Masood Azhar’s family
Sources indicate that the new women's brigade will be led by members of JeM founder Masood Azhar's family, including his sisters, Sadiya Azhar and Samaira Azhar.
Sadiya Azhar, whose husband, Yusuf Azhar, was killed during India's Operation Sindoor airstrikes on May 7, is reportedly taking a leading role. Starting November 8, the two sisters are scheduled to conduct daily 40-minute live online lectures aimed at encouraging women to join 'Jamat ul-Muminat'.
Family members of JeM leaders and commanders are also expected to participate, teaching women what the organization defines as their religious and 'jihadi' duties.
Funding and logistics
The terror group is actively monetizing the course, reportedly collecting a donation of 500 Pakistani Rupees (PKR) from every woman who enrolls in the program. Enrolling women are also required to fill out an online information form, suggesting a concerted effort to build a structured female cadre.
The announcement of the women's brigade was first made by Masood Azhar on October 8, followed by a public event titled "Dukhtaran-e-Islam" (Daughters of Islam) held on October 19 in Rawalakot, Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), aimed at driving early participation.
Strategic shift and context
Historically, terror outfits operating in the region like JeM, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen had refrained from deploying women in operational combat roles, unlike global groups such as ISIS and Boko Haram.
Sources now believe that the formation of a formal, dedicated women’s wing signals JeM’s dangerous intent to train and potentially utilize female suicide bombers in future terror operations.
The move to online and localized fundraising follows severe setbacks for terror organizations after Indian airstrikes, which destroyed the headquarters of JeM, LeT, and Hizbul Mujahideen during Operation Sindoor. Since then, these groups have been reported to be relocating their bases to Pakistan's restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province to evade further Indian retaliation.
Top leaders, including Masood Azhar, have been actively appealing for funds through propaganda videos and public addresses. In his latest known address at Markaz Usman O Ali in Bahawalpur on September 27, Azhar appealed directly for donations. This strategy is also reflected in JeM's online fundraising efforts through services like EasyPaisa to collect massive amounts (reportedly Rs 3.91 billion) for constructing new 'markaz' (centers) across Pakistan.
The intelligence inputs highlight the contradiction in Pakistan's official stance, where the country claims to be a victim of terrorism and adheres to FATF regulations, while allowing these terror outfits to operate openly, promote extremist ideologies, and solicit donations on its soil.