What’s Behind the New Female Brigade of Jaish-e-Mohammad in Kashmir?
Emergence of Jamaat-ul-Muminat in Kashmir
New Delhi: The Jamaat-ul-Muminat (JuM), the female faction of Jaish-e-Mohammad, has been established following Operation Sindoor. Unlike previous attempts, this initiative aims to recruit women not only from Pakistan but also from Jammu and Kashmir.
In response to the recent Pahalgam attack, Indian security forces have intensified their operations against Pakistan, dismantling terror infrastructure and apprehending numerous overground workers (OWGs).
The Jaish is now focused on rebuilding its terror network, actively recruiting in Pakistan while also seeking women from Jammu and Kashmir.
An official noted that the organization aims to establish a female OWG network in the Valley. Women recruited in Pakistan are being trained to identify and recruit females in J&K, emphasizing the need to strengthen their presence in the region.
The JeM has directed its female members to connect with women in Jammu and Kashmir and provide them with training.
According to an Intelligence Bureau official, this strategy of predominantly female OWGs allows the group to evade detection, as women are less likely to attract the attention of security agencies. Furthermore, they tend to exhibit greater loyalty to the cause compared to their male counterparts.
The target demographic in the Valley includes the wives, sisters, and relatives of deceased terrorists, mirroring tactics previously employed in Pakistan during the formation of the JuM.
Sadiya Azhar, sister of Jaish-e-Mohammad leader Masood Azhar and widow of Yusuf Azhar, who died during Operation Sindoor, is leading the JuM. Other women who lost their husbands in the operation are also involved.
Recruitment efforts are currently underway in various locations including Bahawalpur, Karachi, Kotli, Haripur, Mansehra, and Muzaffarabad.
When asked about the recruitment of women from the Valley, an official confirmed that Jaish has initiated plans. While the current focus is on Pakistan, it is anticipated that recruitment in the Valley will soon commence.
During online training sessions, the recruitment of women in Jammu and Kashmir is frequently discussed, with recruits tasked with identifying potential candidates in the Valley.
The responsibilities of the female OWGs will be diverse, including logistical support and ensuring the safety of terrorists during operations. They will also be involved in intelligence gathering, potentially employing honey-trapping tactics.
Given the financial constraints faced by Jaish, these women may also be responsible for fundraising and facilitating the transfer of weapons, money, SIM cards, and other essential items for terrorist activities.
Intelligence Bureau officials believe that the Jaish could gain significant traction in the Valley, drawing from past experiences. Historically, JeM operatives who infiltrated the Valley were known to respect local women, which may attract more recruits due to the group's religious commitment.
A similar recruitment initiative for women occurred after the abrogation of Article 370, which led to a crackdown on OWG networks of various terror groups. Although the previous attempt to recruit women and teenage boys was not entirely successful, an Intelligence Bureau official indicated that this time, Jaish-e-Mohammad and JuM are poised to make a more aggressive effort.