Jaish-e-Mohammed's Operational Strategy in 2025

Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), one of the most prominent militant organizations based in Pakistan, remains a serious security concern for India and the broader South Asian region. Formed in 2000 by Maulana Masood Azhar, JeM has evolved into a significant player in the global jihadist network, with its primary focus being the violent pursuit of Kashmir’s integration into Pakistan and the establishment of an Islamic caliphate. As of February 2025, JeM continues to pose a serious threat, adapting its tactics and strategies in response to evolving security dynamics, regional politics, and counterterrorism measures.

This report presents an in-depth analysis of Jaish-e-Mohammed’s current operational status, examining the political, security, economic, and social implications of its activities, with insights derived from SOCMINT (Social Media Intelligence) and OSINT (Open-Source Intelligence). It also explores how the group has managed to survive and even thrive under constant pressure from both regional governments and international counterterrorism forces.

Political and Regional Context

Jaish-e-Mohammed’s political connections remain primarily entrenched within Pakistan, where the organization is widely believed to receive support from elements within the military and intelligence services. Despite the Pakistani government’s official stance against extremism, there continues to be a substantial degree of tolerance towards groups like JeM, particularly due to their strategic utility in Pakistan’s ongoing rivalry with India. JeM’s founder, Masood Azhar, remains a highly influential figure, even as he faces various legal challenges and sanctions internationally.

In February 2025, the political landscape in Pakistan remains turbulent, with the government grappling with economic instability, growing internal unrest, and external pressures from international bodies like the United Nations and the United States to clamp down on extremist groups. However, JeM continues to operate with considerable autonomy within certain parts of Pakistan, particularly in areas like Bahawalpur and parts of Punjab, which have long been known as hotbeds for militant activity. Azhar’s presence in these regions, under apparent house arrest, has not hindered the group's operations; rather, it has strengthened its position within Pakistan’s broader jihadist ecosystem.

Jaish-e-Mohammed’s political messaging has evolved in recent years. The group has shifted its focus from the localized struggle in Kashmir to a broader ideological war, emphasizing global jihadist objectives. This includes supporting and aligning itself with other militant outfits across the Middle East, Central Asia, and even Africa. Social media platforms have been instrumental in promoting JeM’s narratives, particularly through encrypted messaging services and public broadcasts on platforms like Telegram, which allows the group to expand its reach beyond the Kashmir region.

The continued support, either tacit or active, from elements within Pakistan's security establishment has allowed JeM to maintain its operational capability despite international sanctions and pressure. As of early 2025, its regional alliances with other Pakistan-based militant groups, including Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and the Taliban, have provided both operational support and strategic insights, ensuring its relevance on the global jihadist stage.

Security Implications and Operational Strategies

From a security standpoint, JeM remains a formidable threat, especially in India and Afghanistan. The group's operational tactics are diverse, ranging from cross-border attacks, suicide bombings, and ambushes to more sophisticated operations like IED (Improvised Explosive Device) placement and sniper attacks. In February 2025, intelligence sources indicate that JeM continues to focus its efforts on targeting Indian security forces in Jammu and Kashmir, with sporadic attacks against civilian and military infrastructure.

One of the key developments in JeM’s security strategy has been its increasing focus on urban warfare. In previous years, the group largely confined itself to rural and border areas, but recent intelligence indicates that JeM has begun to integrate urban environments into its attack strategy, using tactics typically associated with insurgent and guerrilla warfare. This shift complicates counterterrorism operations in Jammu and Kashmir, as urban areas are densely populated, and the presence of local informants or sympathizers makes it difficult to isolate the militants.

JeM’s infiltration tactics also involve the recruitment and training of local operatives from within Kashmir. In 2025, there has been a marked increase in the number of young Kashmiris joining the group, driven by a combination of local grievances, social media indoctrination, and the group’s promises of monetary rewards. While cross-border infiltration from Pakistan remains a key element of JeM’s operations, its reliance on local recruits has become increasingly apparent. These recruits are often radicalized through social media, where JeM's propaganda paints a picture of Islamic unity and resistance against Indian oppression.

The group’s long-standing relationship with the Taliban in Afghanistan has also provided JeM with new operational insights. The Taliban’s return to power in 2021 has enabled JeM to establish new safe havens in Afghan territories, particularly in Kunar and Nangarhar provinces. Here, the group has access to training camps, weapons, and logistical support, allowing it to regroup and launch attacks against India and other targets. This collaboration has significantly increased JeM’s operational range, extending its influence beyond Kashmir and into other regions affected by jihadist movements.

Security reports from 2025 suggest that JeM has also diversified its arsenal, acquiring advanced weapons systems through black-market channels and external militant networks. This includes anti-tank missiles, drones, and a variety of heavy weaponry, which are used to conduct larger-scale attacks against fortified military installations. The group’s increasing sophistication in terms of weaponry and tactics highlights its growing resilience and adaptability.

Economic Support and Funding Sources

Jaish-e-Mohammed has developed a well-structured financial network that allows it to operate efficiently despite international sanctions and efforts to cut off its funding. The group relies on a mix of domestic and international sources of income, including donations from sympathizers within Pakistan, the Gulf, and other parts of the Muslim world. These funds are often channeled through charitable organizations, which serve as fronts for JeM’s militant activities.

One of the primary vehicles for JeM’s fundraising is the Al Rashid Trust, a charity linked to the group that has been used to finance its operations. Through such organizations, JeM has been able to gather substantial resources for its militant activities. Additionally, JeM is known to be involved in illicit activities, including drug trafficking and the smuggling of weapons and explosives, which further fuel its operations.

Reports from various intelligence agencies indicate that JeM’s financial operations are becoming increasingly sophisticated, with the group leveraging cryptocurrency and other digital financial platforms to bypass traditional banking systems and international scrutiny. These methods not only allow the group to avoid detection but also enable it to fund its activities in real-time, without relying on slower traditional money-transfer mechanisms.

Social Impact and Radicalization

Jaish-e-Mohammed’s social influence is most strongly felt in Kashmir, where the group has a deeply entrenched ideological presence. JeM’s ability to radicalize and recruit young people from the local population has been a key factor in its sustained relevance. The group’s propaganda, which often circulates through social media channels, paints a picture of resistance and martyrdom, appealing to the frustrations of local youth in Kashmir who face political and economic marginalization.

In addition to its physical presence, JeM’s propaganda machine has become highly effective in recent years. The group has successfully used platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and encrypted messaging apps to spread its narrative and recruit new fighters. Intelligence reports show that JeM’s recruitment strategies target vulnerable individuals, offering them a sense of belonging, purpose, and identity within the broader jihadist movement.

Furthermore, JeM’s social programs, which include providing educational scholarships and financial assistance to impoverished communities, help build a loyal base of supporters who view the group as a benevolent force. However, these efforts are often a prelude to radicalization, as they offer young recruits an opportunity to join the group’s armed wing and participate in its militant activities.

Jaish-e-Mohammed continues to be a significant threat to regional stability in South Asia, particularly in India and Afghanistan. As of February 2025, the group’s political, security, economic, and social strategies demonstrate its resilience and adaptability in the face of international counterterrorism efforts. The group’s continued ties to Pakistan’s security establishment, its evolving relationships with other jihadist groups, and its sophisticated financial and operational networks ensure its ongoing relevance and capability to conduct high-profile attacks.

Efforts to neutralize JeM will require a multi-pronged approach, combining military pressure, intelligence-sharing, financial interdiction, and efforts to counter its radicalizing influence. The international community, especially India, must remain vigilant and proactive in dismantling JeM’s networks before the group can expand its reach even further.

---

This report is based on analysis of various government intelligence sources, credible security agencies, and data derived from open-source platforms. For further details, additional insights can be found through platforms like the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the U.S. Department of State, and regional think tanks specializing in counterterrorism.