Jaish, Lashkar are expanding women wings, preparing to train and deploy female suicide bombers: Intelligence inputs

Hafiz Mohammad Saeed, Lashkar-e-taiba

• Jaish and Lashkar are building female terror networks in Pakistan
• Groups plan to train and deploy female suicide attackers
• Women's wings use religious messaging to recruit and radicalize

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Pakistan-based terror outfits are increasingly turning to women to expand their ideological footprint and operational capabilities, with intelligence inputs pointing to structured efforts by Jaish-e-Mohammad and Lashkar-e-Taiba to build and mobilise female networks.

According to intelligence reports, both groups are not only deepening outreach among women but are also preparing to train and deploy female suicide attackers. The move would place them alongside outfits such as ISIS, Boko Haram, Hamas and LTTE, which have previously used women in combat and suicide missions.

Officials said Lashkar is expanding its women’s wing under the cover of an Islamic educational institute, mirroring a model first adopted by Jaish. Jaish established its women’s wing, Jamaat-ul-Muminaat, in October last year. Lashkar’s corresponding unit, Taiyabbat, is now reportedly gaining momentum.

Security agencies say Jaish’s women’s brigade seeks to draw in educated and urban Muslim women by invoking religious themes. A circular issued by the group features images of Mecca and Medina and contains emotional messaging aimed at recruitment and ideological conditioning.

The growing assertiveness of these networks was visible at a Lahore gathering on February 9 led by Iffat Saeed of Taiyabbat. The event reportedly featured jihad glorification and anti-non-Muslim rhetoric. Wives of several Lashkar commanders were also present, underlining what officials described as a deliberate attempt to embed radical messaging within family and community structures.

"There's a saying that educating women educates an entire community. Similarly, poisoning women's minds with radical thoughts sows seeds of extremism across society. This is precisely why terror outfits are investing in women's networks," said a senior security force officer.

"Women's involvement ensures a sustained ideological legacy, rendering extremism more elusive," said a senior police officer.

Analysts warn that the overt functioning of these women-centric wings in Pakistan poses additional challenges to counter-terrorism operations.

"Women's involvement in propagating radical ideologies adds a complex layer, making detection and disruption increasingly challenging," explains Capt Anil Gour (retd), a security analyst.

Jaish has been linked to major attacks in India, including the 2001 Parliament attack and the 2019 Pulwama suicide bombing. Lashkar has been blamed for the Pahalgam terror attack and the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.