The Silent Front: Decoding the Jamaat-e-Mominat Terror Module
Poonam Sharma
Evolution of Asymmetric Warfare
The conflict in Jammu and Kashmir has long been viewed through the lens of traditional militancy: young men in fatigues, stone-pelting mobs on the streets of Srinagar, and high-profile commanders like Burhan Wani serving as the face of recruitment. However, a seismic shift is occurring beneath the surface of this established security paradigm. Intelligence intercepts and recent captures, such as that of Shehnaz Akhtar Pakistani woman spy who is commander of jaish -e- mohammad women wing in Poonch, reveal a chilling transformation. The frontline is no longer just the rugged terrain of the Line of Control; it has moved into the domestic and professional spheres through a specialized female terror module known as Jamaat-e-Mominat.
This is not merely a local evolution but a calculated adoption of historical espionage tactics—most notably the USSR’s “Red Sparrow” program—repurposed for religious radicalization and regional destabilization.
The Russian Blueprint: From Cold War “Red Sparrows” to Modern Jihad
To understand the gravity of Jamaat-e-Mominat, one must look back at the Cold War. The Soviet Union’s KGB famously utilized “Red Sparrows”—highly trained female assets—to infiltrate Western political and military circles. These women were weapons of influence, using charm, intellect, and “honey traps” to extract secrets that traditional spies could never reach.
Today, Pakistan-based terror outfits, specifically Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), have localized this blueprint. By shifting the focus to women, they exploit a fundamental “blind spot” in traditional security architecture. In a conservative society, women—especially those in burqas or holding professional titles like “doctor”—are often subject to less intrusive physical screening and lower levels of suspicion. This “Red Sparrow” adaptation allows the Jamaat-e-Mominat to move equipment, conduct reconnaissance, and carry out suicide missions with a level of stealth that male operatives can no longer achieve.
2. Leadership and the Machinery of Indoctrination
The rise of this module is not accidental; it is institutional. At the helm is Sadiya Azhar, the sister of JeM chief Masood Azhar. Her leadership provides the group with both ideological legitimacy and a direct line to the highest levels of terror financing and state-sponsored support in Pakistan.
The recruitment strategy targets approximately 4,000 women from vulnerable socio-economic backgrounds, using a two-pronged indoctrination method:
Daur-e-Tazkiya (The Physical & Ideological Core): This is a rigorous, in-person course that combines hard-core Islamic indoctrination with physical training. It is designed to strip away previous identities and replace them with a singular commitment to the mission.
Al-Fail (The Digital Frontier): Recognizing the power of the internet, Sadiya Azhar oversees online courses that train “covert sisters” in digital anonymity, reconnaissance techniques, and communication encryption. This allows the module to expand its reach far beyond physical training camps.
The capture of Shehnaz Akhtar serves as a “smoking gun” for this nexus. Intercepted intelligence showed her not as a peripheral player, but as a commander who shared meals with Pakistani military personnel—a clear indicator that these women are being integrated into a formal military-style hierarchy.
The “Infiltration Doctor” and the Power of Disguise
A recurring theme in this new module is the “Infiltration Doctor.” This tactic was notably observed during the investigation of the Red Fort blasts. By placing women in professional roles, terror groups ensure that their assets are “free from doubt.” A lady doctor or a burqa-clad woman traveling with a family is rarely seen as a threat by local law enforcement or civilians.
These operatives are divided into specialized cells:
Reiki Missions: Gathering intelligence on troop movements and high-value targets.
Logistics: Transporting small arms and explosives under the cover of domestic items.
Suicide Missions: The ultimate stage of indoctrination, where the operative is prepared for mass destruction.
Strategic Espionage: Honey Traps and “Al-Takiya”
The Jamaat-e-Mominat also functions as a tool for “Al-Takiya”—the mission of strategic deception. This mirrors global trends where powers like China use female assets to influence diplomats and tech moguls. India is not immune; the infamous case of a honey-trapped Indian Navy Admiral underscores how vulnerable even high-ranking officials are to these tactics.
By creating an “Army of Women,” Jaish-e-Mohammed is aiming for more than just physical attacks; they are aiming for espionage and religious vulnerability. When a female operative is caught or killed, the organization pivots to a “martyrdom” narrative, using her death as a recruitment tool to inspire the next wave of “Mominaat.”
Constitutional and Security Challenges
This shift presents a profound challenge to the Indian state. Constitutionally, India is committed to the protection of national integrity, yet the security forces must navigate a complex moral and legal landscape.
Law and Order vs. Sensitivity: Increased screening of women can be framed by agitators as “harassment,” potentially fueling further local resentment.
The Gender Gap in Intelligence: There is an urgent need for more female intelligence officers and field operatives to counter this specific threat, as male-dominated units are tactically disadvantaged in monitoring female-only spaces.
Conclusion: A Multi-Dimensional Challenge
The emergence of the Jamaat-e-Mominat signifies that the war on terror has entered a “post-physical” phase where the battlefield is the mind, the internet, and the domestic sphere. The “Red Sparrow” shift is a reminder that as India hardens its borders, the adversary will always look for the path of least resistance—which, in this case, is the exploitation of gender-based social norms.
