After Operation Sindoor, JeM Shifts Focus from Attacks to Ideological Influence as ISI Adopts New Strategy: Intelligence Inputs

Multiple intelligence assessments suggest that the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) is increasingly focusing on ideological mobilisation rather than carrying out direct terror attacks, with officials indicating that the shift has gathered pace after Operation Sindoor dealt a major blow to the Pakistan-based terror outfit.

According to intelligence officials, JeM was among the organisations most severely affected during Operation Sindoor. Since then, its leadership has largely remained silent, with little public messaging or operational activity.

"There has been little indication of any revival within the Jaish-e-Mohammed. The leadership has remained quiet, and there has been hardly any significant activity reported for nearly a year now," an official said.

Lashkar Continues Recruitment, Moves Camps

Officials said the situation differs significantly from that of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), which has continued recruiting operatives and conducting activities alongside the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP).

The Lashkar has also reportedly shifted some of its training camps closer to the Pakistan-Afghanistan border after its main training facility at Muridke, near Lahore, was destroyed during Operation Sindoor.

JeM Ideology Surfaces in Recent Terror Investigations

Although JeM has not claimed any major operation since Operation Sindoor, investigators said the outfit's ideology has surfaced in several terror-related cases across India.

Officials cited the Faridabad terror module involved in the Red Fort car bomb blast, whose members were allegedly inspired by JeM's ideology.

In Gujarat, the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) recently arrested more than five suspects accused of conducting Improvised Explosive Device (IED) trials while allegedly planning a major terror attack. Investigators said those arrested were influenced by JeM's ideology, although there was no evidence of the outfit's direct operational involvement.

A similar pattern has emerged in West Bengal, where the Special Task Force (STF) arrested Hamim Mondal on allegations of gathering sensitive information for Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and allegedly plotting to assassinate West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. Officials said the accused was also influenced by JeM's ideology.

'No Direct Role, But Ideological Influence'

An Intelligence Bureau official described the development as an emerging trend.

"The probe has not found any direct involvement of the Jaish-e-Mohammed in these cases. The accused were in contact with their handlers. While some appear to have acted independently, others were instructed to carry out specific activities. The common thread is that the Jaish has been able to spread its ideology without being directly involved in executing these acts," the official said.

Officials believe the strategy allows the outfit to remain relevant while avoiding direct operational exposure.

ISI Seen Backing Ideology-Driven Model

According to intelligence officials, the approach may form part of a broader strategy by Pakistan's ISI to maintain plausible deniability by relying on individuals inspired by JeM rather than operatives formally linked to the organisation.

Officials said the strategy also provides JeM time to regroup following setbacks suffered during Operation Sindoor, while keeping its ideological influence alive.

One official said the ISI was allegedly using social media to identify and influence select Indian youths to propagate JeM's ideology. Intelligence inputs also claimed that Pakistan-based recruiter Shahzad Bhatti was among those being used to promote the outfit's messaging and facilitate recruitment efforts.

Officials believe JeM is likely to continue relying on ideological influence while it attempts to rebuild its organisational network.