In a development raising serious security concerns across South Asia, Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) has reportedly launched an online radicalisation and recruitment course exclusively for women. The initiative, titled Tufat al-Muminat or “Gift of the Believers” is set to commence on November 8 and is being described by intelligence officials as a new front in the group’s efforts to expand its base through digital platforms. According to reports, the 40-minute daily sessions will be conducted virtually under the supervision of JeM’s top female leaders, including Sadiya and Samaira Azhar, sisters of the group’s chief Masood Azhar. The programme is linked to JeM’s newly created women’s wing, Jamat ul-Muminat, and each participant is required to contribute a “donation” of 500 Pakistani rupees.
The curriculum reportedly focuses on religious indoctrination and the “duties” of women in the context of jihad. Intelligence assessments suggest the course may serve both as a recruitment tool and a funding mechanism for the banned outfit, long accused of orchestrating cross-border terrorism in India, including the 2019 Pulwama attack. Observers note that the use of online media for extremist mobilisation reflects an evolving strategy by terror groups to bypass traditional surveillance mechanisms, particularly targeting younger and socially restricted demographics through virtual outreach.
