New Delhi, Dec 20 (NationPress) Jamaat-ul-Muminat (JuM) serves as the women's division of Jaish-e-Mohammad, initiated following Operation Sindoor. While this is not the first attempt by the terrorist organization to establish such a group, officials indicate that this time, the recruitment focus extends beyond women from Pakistan to include those from Jammu and Kashmir.

In response to the Pahalgam attack, Indian security forces launched a comprehensive counteraction against Pakistan. They not only dismantled significant terror infrastructure but also apprehended numerous overground workers (OWGs).

Consequently, the Jaish is actively working to restore its terror network. While a recruitment campaign is ongoing in Pakistan, it is also on the lookout for women within Jammu and Kashmir.

An official stated that the aim is to establish a female OWG network in the Valley. Women recruited into the JuM in Pakistan are being instructed during online sessions to seek out females in J&K, as rebuilding their OWG network in Jammu and Kashmir is deemed crucial, preferably with a majority being women.

The JeM has directed its female members to connect with women in Jammu and Kashmir and provide training.

An Intelligence Bureau official mentioned that this strategy of employing predominantly women as OWGs aids the group in evading detection since women generally attract less scrutiny from security agencies. Moreover, it has been observed that they exhibit greater loyalty to the cause compared to their male counterparts.

In the Valley, the target demographic includes the wives, sisters, and relatives of fallen terrorists, mirroring the strategy used by the outfit in Pakistan when launching JuM.

Currently, the JuM is led by Sadiya Azhar, sister of Masood Azhar and widow of Yusuf Azhar, who was killed in Bahawalpur during Operation Sindoor. Other women who lost their husbands during the operation are also part of this group. Recruitment efforts are underway in various locations including Bahawalpur, Karachi, Kotli, Haripur, Mansehra, and Muzaffarabad.

When questioned about the recruitment of women from the Valley, an official confirmed that the Jaish has indeed initiated plans. While the current focus is primarily on the Pakistani cadres, it is only a matter of time before the recruitment drive extends to the Valley.

During online classes, discussions about recruiting women in Jammu and Kashmir are frequent. Recruits have been tasked with identifying women in the Valley.

The responsibilities of the women OWGs will be diverse. They will be responsible for logistics and ensuring the safety of terrorists involved in operations, and they will also gather intelligence, potentially employing honey-trapping tactics.

Given the financial strain currently faced by the Jaish, women OWGs may also be tasked with fundraising duties. They would additionally assist in the transfer of weapons, money, SIM cards, and other essential items for future terror attacks.

Intelligence Bureau officials believe that the Jaish may gain significant traction in the Valley, drawing on past experiences. Historically, JeM operatives who infiltrated the Valley resided with Kashmiri families and were noted for their respectful behavior towards women. This respectful conduct has made the outfit appealing to women, largely due to its perceived commitment to religion.

A similar recruitment initiative for women occurred after the abrogation of Article 370. Following this, security officials launched an offensive leading to the collapse of many terror groups' OWG networks. Although the Jaish previously attempted to recruit women and teenage boys as OWGs, that effort was not wholly successful. However, an Intelligence Bureau official asserted that this time, Jaish-e-Mohammad and the JuM are poised to make a more determined effort.