Jaish launches women’s jihadi training course online; Is this a recruitment tool for its women’s wing?

Jaish-e-Mohammed has launched an online religious course led by Masood Azhar’s sisters to radicalize and recruit women for jihad. Is this a strategic shift to evade security and expand terror networks undetected?

Post Published By: Ayushi Bisht
Updated : 22 October 2025, 2:11 PM IST
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Islamabad: In a significant shift in terror recruitment tactics, Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) has unveiled an online indoctrination course aimed at radicalizing women, signalling a new frontier in its jihadist strategy. Named Tufat al-Muminat, or “Gift for the Believing Women,” the course is designed to integrate women into JeM's newly established female wing, Jamat ul-Muminat.

Masood Azhar’s Sisters to Lead Online Sessions

The initiative is being spearheaded by Sadiya Azhar and Samaira Azhar, sisters of JeM chief and UN-designated global terrorist Masood Azhar. Starting November 8, the 40-minute daily sessions will be conducted via encrypted online platforms. Participants are being asked to pay PKR 500 (approx. Rs 500) as a “donation” for the course.

The development follows Azhar’s October 8 announcement of Jamat ul-Muminat during an event at Markaz Usman-o-Ali in Bahawalpur, the terror outfit’s stronghold.

Women Mobilised Through Religious Indoctrination

According to intelligence sources, the course is designed to provide religious justification for jihad, encouraging women to take active roles in supporting JeM’s extremist agenda. Family members of JeM leaders, including wives and sisters, are playing key roles in delivering content and motivating new recruits.

A related mobilisation event, Dukhtaran-e-Islam, was also held on October 19 in Rawalkot, Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), further indicating the outfit’s commitment to expanding its influence among women.

Masood Azhar’s family eliminated in Operation Sindoor, major revelation by Jaish Commander

A Strategic Shift: Female Operatives in the Making?

Counter-terrorism officials see the initiative as a tactical evolution for JeM. Traditionally a Deobandi-rooted outfit that excluded women from direct involvement in armed jihad, JeM is now rethinking its approach. Inspired by the ISIS, Hamas, Boko Haram, and LTTE models that have used female suicide bombers and logistics operatives, JeM may be grooming women for similar roles.

One official noted that post-Pahalgam and Operation Sindoor, JeM leaders realised women could evade scrutiny more easily at checkpoints or during operations, and thus are being considered for tasks including logistics, propaganda, and potentially even suicide missions.

Jaish-e-Mohammed women course

The course, titled Tufat al-Muminat, is led by Masood Azhar’s sisters.

Who’s Behind the Move?

Masood Azhar’s younger sister, Sadiya Azhar, is reportedly heading the women’s unit. Her husband, Yusuf Azhar, was killed during India’s Operation Sindoor. Other prominent names in the initiative include Safia Azhar and Afreera Farooq, the widow of Pulwama attack mastermind Umar Farooq, killed by Indian forces.

Fundraising Through "Religious Courses" Raises FATF Red Flags

The fee being collected for the course is raising eyebrows among officials who see this as yet another method of circumventing international financial sanctions. Despite Pakistan’s promises to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to crack down on terror financing, JeM continues to exploit religious and educational fronts to raise money.

Targeting the Vulnerable

JeM is reportedly targeting economically disadvantaged women and female students from its seminaries in Bahawalpur, Karachi, Muzaffarabad, Kotli, Haripur, and Mansehra. These women are seen as more susceptible to radical ideology and easier to recruit through emotional and religious appeals.

Is This a Recruitment Tool for Its Women’s Wing?

The launch of the Tufat al-Muminat online course appears to be more than just a religious study program. Intelligence officials believe the course is a strategic recruitment pipeline for Jaish-e-Mohammed’s newly formed female wing, Jamat ul-Muminat. The structure of daily online sessions, led by high-profile figures like Masood Azhar’s sisters and the widow of a Pulwama attacker, is designed to indoctrinate and mobilize women under the guise of faith-based education. The use of a modest course fee also allows the group to raise funds while evading scrutiny from international watchdogs like FATF.

Location : 
  • Islamabad

Published : 
  • 22 October 2025, 2:11 PM IST

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