October 9, 2025 – Bahawalpur, Pakistan
Pakistan-based terrorist organization Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) has announced the formation of its first-ever women’s wing, named ‘Jamaat-ul-Mominaat.’ The unit will be led by Sadiya Azhar, the sister of JeM chief Maulana Masood Azhar. This development marks a significant shift in JeM’s strategy, as the group seeks to recruit women for operational roles, including potential suicide attacks.
The formation of Jamaat-ul-Mominaat was revealed through a letter issued in the name of Maulana Masood Azhar. Recruitment for the new unit began on October 8 at Markaz Usman-o-Ali in Bahawalpur, Pakistan. Sources indicate that the group is enlisting wives of its commanders and economically vulnerable women studying at its centers in Bahawalpur, Karachi, Muzaffarabad, Kotli, Haripur, and Mansehra.
The establishment of this women’s wing comes months after Operation Sindoor, during which Indian forces targeted JeM’s headquarters in Bahawalpur, resulting in significant losses for the group. Sadiya Azhar’s husband, Yusuf Azhar, was among those killed in the May 7 strikes.
Intelligence sources suggest that the inclusion of women in JeM’s operational framework was approved by Maulana Masood Azhar and his brother, Talha al-Saif. The move indicates a strategic shift, as JeM aims to expand its activities and recruitment efforts, particularly through online networks in regions such as Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, and parts of South India.
The formation of Jamaat-ul-Mominaat raises concerns about the evolving tactics of terrorist organizations and their efforts to broaden their recruitment base. The use of women in militant activities has been observed in other groups, and JeM’s adoption of this strategy may signal a new phase in its operational capabilities.
This development underscores the need for heightened vigilance and countermeasures to address the changing dynamics of terrorism in the region.
