News Brief
Post-Operation Sindoor, JeM And Hizbul Mujahideen Shift Bases To KPK
Spokesperson foreign office Shafqat Ali Khan (X)
The elimination of key terror infrastructure in Pakistan during Operation Sindoor has forced major Pakistan-sponsored terrorist groups, including Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Hizbul Mujahideen, to relocate deeper inside Pakistan, closer to the Afghanistan border, reported The Times Of India.
Intelligence agencies have obtained credible visual confirmation that both outfits are shifting their bases to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK).
JeM has expanded its training facility, Markaz Shohada-e-Islam, at Mansehra in KPK.
Photographs confirm ongoing construction and a rise in logistical activity.
Meanwhile, Hizbul Mujahideen, under ex-SSG commando Khalid Khan, is constructing a new training centre named "HM-313" in Bandal, KPK.
Although the land was purchased in August 2024, construction began only in mid-May 2025.
Initial infrastructure and boundary walls are complete. The "313" name symbolically references the historic Badr Ghazwa battle and al-Qaeda’s Brigade 313, aiming to attract global jihadis.
On 25 September, JeM plans a recruitment drive at Peshawar’s Markaz Shaheed Maksudabad to commemorate Yusuf Azhar, Masood Azhar’s brother, killed in Operation Sindoor.
Intelligence notes highlight KPK’s geography, proximity to the Afghan frontier, and existing jihadi safe havens, making it a suitable rear command zone for JeM, while PoK remains the forward operating platform.
Pakistan’s state structures have facilitated this movement, evidenced by public JeM gatherings under police protection and tacit involvement of groups like Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI).
The Jaish-led event at Garhi Habibullah in Mansehra coincided with the India-Pakistan cricket match on 14 September.
Intelligence officials noted, “His presence at a public rally guarded by both JeM cadre armed with M4 rifles and local police officers… reflects both state complicity and the boldness of JeM’s revivalist strategy.”
For over 30 minutes, Kashmiri glorified Osama bin Laden, calling him the Shohada-e-Islam and “Prince of Arab,” linking JeM ideologically to al-Qaeda.
