Paromita Das
New Delhi, 13th November: In a significant breakthrough against terrorism, Bharatiya security agencies have arrested Dr Shaheena Shahid, a Lucknow-based woman doctor accused of heading the women’s wing of the Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) operating in Bharat. This arrest marks the unmasking of a newly formed female front, Jamaat-ul-Mominat, aimed at expanding JeM’s extremist activities through women recruits on Bharatiya soil.
Women in Terror: The New Face of Jaish-e-Mohammad
Dr Shaheena, employed at Al-Falah University and connected deeply with Jammu & Kashmir-based militants, was entrusted with establishing and commanding Jamaat-ul-Mominat’s Bharatiya wing. This network emerges under the direct leadership of Saeeda Azhar, the sister of JeM founder Masood Azhar, who has leveraged her religious influence to radicalize and recruit women into the terror group. The involvement of women, historically less suspected by security forces, marks a dangerous evolution in terror tactics, suggesting a strategy to operate stealthily through social and educational institutions.
Faridabad Module and Operational Evidence
The arrest followed a thorough investigation that uncovered a multi-state JeM terror module. Authorities seized over 360 kilograms of ammonium nitrate explosives, assault rifles, pistols, and ammunition from a rented room in Faridabad linked to the module. Dr Shaheena’s vehicle was found equipped with a Krinkov rifle and significant ammunition, underscoring the preparedness for violent activities. This coordinated network received substantial logistical and operational support from handlers based in Pakistan’s ISI and maintained encrypted communication with affiliated groups like Ansar Ghazwa-ul-Hind.
Radicalization and Indoctrination: The JeM Playbook
In a recent 21-minute audio message from Masood Azhar, released shortly after the women’s wing announcement, he outlined strict codes of conduct and in-depth radicalization plans, urging recruits to study specific literature and limit interactions with outsiders. The strategy includes setting up district-level branches across Pakistan, each managed by a local leader responsible for further recruitment and operational planning.
Security Implications and Response
The revelation of a female-led terror wing and the extensive cache of weapons and explosives intercepted pose grave security challenges. However, the swift action by multiple Bharatiya police forces and intelligence units underscores improved vigilance and coordination in counterterror operations. The disruption of Jamaat-ul-Mominat’s fledgling Bharatiya operations is a significant setback for JeM’s expansionist ambitions. It also highlights the complex nature of modern terrorism that uses social structures, professional cover, and gender dynamics to avoid detection.
Vigilance Must Evolve with Enemy Tactics
The use of women in terror networks represents an alarming adaptive tactic by extremist groups to exploit social norms and evade intelligence scrutiny. Bharatiya security forces must continue to innovate and sharpen their methods to counter these evolving threats effectively. Awareness campaigns, tighter monitoring of radicalization in educational and social circles, and community cooperation are essential complements to traditional law enforcement.
A New Front in Bharat’s Counterterror War
Dr Shaheena Shahid’s arrest signals a critical moment in Bharat’s ongoing fight against terrorism, revealing how terror groups evolve to infiltrate new segments of society. While the threat remains grave, the success in dismantling this network demonstrates Bharat’s growing counterterror capabilities. Continued vigilance, public awareness, and international cooperation are imperative to safeguard the nation from these multifaceted and stealthy threats.
