The Shadow of Jaish-e-Mohammed: Red Fort Attacks and Global Security

​The recent United Nations sanctions report has sent shockwaves through the international community. It explicitly links the Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) to a series of high-profile attacks, most notably a devastating incident near the iconic Red Fort in New Delhi. For years, Islamabad has maintained a narrative that these groups are defunct or dismantled under domestic pressure. However, the 37th report from the UN Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team paints a starkly different picture. It suggests that not only is JeM active, but it is also evolving, expanding its recruitment strategies, and continuing to use Pakistani soil as a launchpad for regional instability. This revelation brings the "double game" of counterterrorism back into the global spotlight.

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The Red Fort Connection and New Evidence

​The Red Fort has always been more than just a monument; it is a symbol of India’s sovereignty. Targeting this location is a clear attempt to strike at the heart of the nation’s identity. According to the UN findings, JeM claimed responsibility for a car blast near the Red Fort on November 10, 2025, an attack that tragically claimed 15 lives. While local investigations by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) had already pointed toward cross-border links, the UN’s validation adds a layer of international weight that is hard to ignore.

​The report highlights a sophisticated network. It isn't just about lone wolves or stray radicalized individuals. Instead, the evidence points toward a structured organization that continues to plan and execute complex operations. The use of high-intensity explosives in a high-security zone like New Delhi suggests a level of logistical support that requires significant infrastructure—infrastructure that India has long argued exists openly across the border.

​The Rise of Jamaat-ul-Muminat

​One of the most concerning aspects of the UN report is the formal evolution of the group’s recruitment. On October 8, 2025, JeM chief Masood Azhar—a man already designated as a global terrorist—announced the formation of a women-only wing called Jamaat-ul-Muminat. This move is a tactical shift designed to bypass traditional security filters. By involving women in supporting roles and potentially operational tasks, the group aims to create a "white-collar" or "under-the-radar" terror module.

​This new wing is reportedly focused on ideological indoctrination and logistical support. By targeting a different demographic, JeM is attempting to build a more resilient and pervasive network. It shows that despite being "banned" on paper, the leadership of JeM feels comfortable enough to hold formal announcements and launch new initiatives. This level of activity contradicts any claims that the group has been neutralized or that its leadership is in hiding and unable to communicate.

​Pakistan’s Counterterror Claims vs. Reality

​For years, Pakistan has been under the scanner of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and the UN Security Council. Islamabad has frequently presented dossiers and reports claiming that it has frozen the assets of JeM and arrested its key operatives. However, the UN report notes that while one member state (widely understood to be Pakistan) continues to claim JeM is defunct, other member states provided evidence of its active operations.

​This discrepancy highlights a persistent gap between policy and practice. If a group is truly dismantled, it cannot claim responsibility for bombings in a foreign capital or launch new organizational wings. The survival of JeM suggests that the "infrastructure of terror"—the training camps, the funding channels, and the ideological hubs—remains functional. It raises the question: is the lack of action due to a lack of capability, or a lack of political will?

​Operation Sindoor and Regional Tensions

​The backdrop to these findings is a period of intense regional friction. Following a series of attacks, including the Pahalgam incident in April 2025 which killed 26 civilians, India launched "Operation Sindoor." This was a targeted effort to dismantle terrorist launchpads and infrastructure across the Line of Control. The resulting four-day military escalation in May 2025 showed how quickly terror activities can lead to the brink of conventional war between two nuclear-armed neighbors.

​The UN report also references these events, noting that the individuals involved in the Pahalgam attack were eventually neutralized. However, the cycle of violence continues because the source remains untouched. When terror commanders like Ilyas Kashmiri can hold public rallies in Rawalkot and openly call for "Ghazwa-e-Hind" (a holy war against India), it becomes clear that the environment for extremism is still being nurtured.

​Technology and the Modern Terrorist

​The 2026 UN report also points out a "discernible increase" in the use of new technology by these groups. JeM and its proxies are no longer just using basic communication. They are exploiting commercial satellite systems, encrypted messaging, and even exploring artificial intelligence for recruitment and propaganda. This digital evolution makes tracking them significantly harder for intelligence agencies.

​By moving their operations into the digital space, these groups can radicalize youth far beyond their immediate physical reach. They use "tech-savvy" methods to manage finances, shifting from traditional hawala systems to digital wallets and cryptocurrency. This modern approach allows them to maintain a global footprint while their physical headquarters remain protected in regions where law enforcement is either unable or unwilling to intervene.

​The Global Responsibility

​The findings of the 1267 Sanctions Committee are a call to action for the global community. Terrorism is rarely a localized problem; a group that can operate freely in one country will eventually pose a threat to others. The link between JeM and Al-Qaeda has been documented for decades, making this a matter of global security, not just a bilateral issue between India and Pakistan.

​International bodies like the UN and FATF must move beyond periodic reports and demand verifiable, transparent action. Freezing a few bank accounts that are quickly replaced by digital wallets is not enough. The dismantling of the ideological and physical infrastructure of Jaish-e-Mohammed is essential for lasting peace in South Asia.

​Looking Ahead

​As we move further into 2026, the pressure on Islamabad is likely to mount. With the UN now officially recording JeM’s involvement in the Red Fort attack and the creation of its new wings, the "defunct" narrative has lost all credibility. The world is watching to see if there will be a genuine crackdown or if the cycle of denial and covert support will continue.

​For India, the focus remains on high alert and proactive defense. Operation Sindoor demonstrated a willingness to take direct action, but the ultimate goal is a region where such operations are no longer necessary. Achieving that requires a world that refuses to turn a blind eye to the reality of state-sponsored proxies.