Terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) has officially launched its first-ever women’s wing, named Jamaat-ul-Mominaat, in a move that intelligence agencies describe as a significant escalation in the group’s operational tactics. The wing will be led by Sadiya Azhar, sister of JeM chief Masood Azhar.
The announcement was made through JeM’s propaganda platform Al-Qalam Media on Telegram, accompanied by pamphlets and a video outlining the objectives of the new wing. According to the group, the women’s wing will include a dedicated Fidayeen squad, with female recruits trained for suicide missions and close-quarter militant attacks — a tactical shift from JeM’s previous reliance solely on male combatants.
Sadiya Azhar assumed leadership following the death of her husband, Yusuf Azhar, who was killed in IAF strikes during Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025, targeting JeM’s main base in Bahawalpur. Intelligence reports suggest that JeM is leveraging personal losses to galvanise recruitment for the women’s wing.
Recruitment for Jamaat-ul-Mominaat reportedly began on October 8 at Markaz Usman-o-Ali in Bahawalpur. The group is primarily targeting wives of senior JeM commanders and economically vulnerable women from religious seminaries in Kotli, Manshera, Karachi, and Bahawalpur. Propaganda is also being disseminated through social media to expand recruitment outreach.
Following Operation Sindoor, which caused substantial losses to personnel and infrastructure, JeM has reportedly relocated key training activities from Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a region deemed safer due to its distance from the Indian border and reduced risk of aerial strikes. Intelligence inputs indicate that the group is also spreading disinformation claiming women were killed in Bahawalpur strikes to fuel emotional outrage and drive recruitment.
Government security agencies have flagged this development as a high-priority threat, noting that the use of women in militant roles complicates detection and counter-terrorism measures. Female militants historically attract less suspicion, increasing the potential for concealed attacks in urban areas.
Analysts warn that the formation of Jamaat-ul-Mominaat could mark a strategic turning point in JeM’s operations, enabling more flexible and covert terror activities. Indian security agencies are reportedly reviewing and updating surveillance and counter-terror protocols to address the emerging challenge of female-led militant cells.
