Jaish-e-Mohammed Forms First Women’s Unit Led by Masood Azhar’s Sister

New Delhi, October 9, 2025: In a significant development, the terrorist organization Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) has announced the creation of its first women’s wing, named ‘Jamaat-ul-Mominaat.’ The move follows the group’s recent setbacks during India’s Operation Sindoor, which destroyed JeM’s headquarters at Markaz Subhanallah in Bahawalpur, Pakistan. The announcement was made official through a letter issued by JeM chief Maulana Masood Azhar, signaling a shift in the group’s operational strategy. According to sources, the newly formed women’s unit will be led by Sadiya Azhar, the sister of Masood Azhar. Her husband, Yusuf Azhar, was among the family members killed during India’s strikes in Operation Sindoor on May 7. The unit aims to recruit wives of existing JeM members as well as economically weaker women studying at JeM-run centres across Bahawalpur, Karachi, Muzaffarabad, Kotli, Haripur, and Mansehra. Recruitment officially began on October 8. The primary objective of ‘Jamaat-ul-Mominaat’ appears to focus on psychological warfare, propaganda dissemination, and grassroots recruitment rather than direct combat. Reports indicate that the unit is actively leveraging social media platforms, WhatsApp groups, and networks of certain madrasas to spread its influence. Early activity has been observed in regions including Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, and selected areas of southern India, indicating a pan-Indian recruitment strategy. This marks a notable departure for JeM, which historically barred women from armed operations and combat roles. Sources suggest that Masood Azhar, along with his brother Talha al-Saif, approved this strategic revision, recognizing the potential to expand operational capabilities and maintain organizational relevance after heavy losses. The inclusion of women into JeM’s structure aligns with global trends where terrorist organizations, including ISIS, Boko Haram, Hamas, and LTTE, have deployed women as operatives, although groups like JeM, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen have traditionally avoided such tactics. Experts believe the establishment of a dedicated women’s wing signals both a tactical and psychological shift, aimed at maintaining the organization’s influence and operational reach despite prior setbacks. By integrating women, JeM may attempt to soften its image among local populations, enhance recruitment, and expand its propaganda channels to influence public sentiment more effectively. The group may also use women to facilitate messaging, mobilization, and logistical support, creating a more diversified operational network. While the new brigade does not currently indicate plans for women to engage in armed operations, authorities are closely monitoring the group’s activities for potential escalation. The move comes amid increasing vigilance by Indian security agencies in Jammu and Kashmir and other regions, which continue to track online recruitment networks, radicalization attempts, and the evolving structure of terror outfits like JeM. The creation of ‘Jamaat-ul-Mominaat’ underscores JeM’s adaptability and highlights the broader security challenge posed by evolving terrorist strategies. Analysts warn that this could mark a new phase of operational sophistication for the organization, emphasizing propaganda, recruitment, and psychological influence as key tools in its post-Operation Sindoor restructuring. The development has raised concern among counterterrorism experts, who stress the need for enhanced surveillance, community awareness, and cross-border intelligence coordination to counter emerging threats posed by women-led extremist units. Jaish-e-Mohammed Launches First Women’s Wing Led by Masood Azhar’s Sister Jaish-e-Mohammed has announced its first women’s unit, ‘Jamaat-ul-Mominaat,’ following setbacks in India’s Operation Sindoor. The wing will be led by Sadiya Azhar, sister of JeM chief Masood Azhar, whose husband was killed in the strikes. Recruitment began on October 8, targeting wives of members and economically weaker women at JeM centres across Pakistan. The unit focuses on propaganda, recruitment, and psychological operations, spreading influence via social media and local networks. Analysts note this marks a shift in JeM’s tactics, as women were traditionally excluded from operations. Authorities are monitoring activities closely to prevent escalation.