Masood Azhar Claims JeM Women’s Wing Has Recruited 5,000 Members for Suicide Training

In a disturbing development, Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) chief Masood Azhar has claimed that the terror outfit’s newly formed women’s wing, Jamaat-ul-Mominat, has recruited over 5,000 members, many of whom are reportedly being trained for suicide missions and subjected to intensive ideological indoctrination.

According to Azhar, the unit—headed by his sister Saeeda—has been created to expand JeM’s influence, strengthen organisational structure, and accelerate recruitment in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and other regions across Pakistan.

Claims Made in Social Media Post

In a recent social media post, Masood Azhar detailed the rapid expansion of Jamaat-ul-Mominat, saying the group plans to establish district-level offices, each led by a female head (Muntazima), to coordinate activities, training schedules and indoctrination programs.

Azhar also claimed that many newly recruited women said joining the group gave them “a sense of purpose” and “strengthened their faith.” He encouraged recruits to embed the group’s extremist ideology into their daily routines.

A Shift in Pakistan’s Militant Strategy

Security analysts view the creation of JeM’s women’s wing as a significant shift within Pakistan’s militant ecosystem. Female recruitment, they say, highlights an evolving strategy among extremist organisations seeking to diversify their operational capabilities.

The development follows earlier reporting by India Today, which in October accessed an audio recording in which Azhar outlined a detailed plan to recruit, train, and deploy women in future terrorist operations. In the recording, Azhar promised female recruits “direct entry to paradise,” while alleging that JeM’s “enemies” were placing Hindu women in the Indian armed forces and media spaces.

JeM’s Past Fundraising Attempts

The revelation also comes months after JeM attempted to raise PKR 3.91 billion, disguising the campaign as a drive to construct 313 new mosques and terror camps—a tactic Indian intelligence had flagged as a major financing operation for future militant activities.

The expansion of Jamaat-ul-Mominat underscores growing concerns about the radicalisation of women and the evolving tactics of Pakistan-based terror networks.