TERRORIST GROUPS
Jaish-e-Mohammad (JEM)
( AS OF JUNE 2023 )
OVERVIEW
Jaish-e-Mohammad (JEM), meaning Army of Mohammad, is a Pakistan-based Sunni militant group whose primary goal is to drive India from the disputed region of Kashmir and establish Pakistani sovereignty. JEM was formed in 2000 by militants who split from Pakistan-based Harakat ul-Mujahidin. JEM conducts attacks in India, India-administered Kashmir, and Pakistan. The group fought with the Taliban against US and coalition forces in Afghanistan from 2001 until the Taliban came to power in 2021.
OPERATING AREA
Afghanistan, Indian Kashmir, and Pakistan (headquartered in Punjab Province)
MEMBERS
Probably 500
TACTICS AND TARGETS
JEM uses suicide bombers, car bombs, small arms, light and heavy machineguns, IEDs, and rocket-propelled grenades in attacks primarily against Indian security personnel, bases, camps, convoys, and government buildings.
FOREIGN TERRORIST GROUP DESIGNATION
The US State Department designated JEM as foreign terrorist organization in December 2001.
KEY LEADERS
Masood Azhar
Founder; amir
Abdul Rauf Asghar
Deputy amir; brother of Masood Azhar
NOTABLE ATTACKS
14 February 2019
Pulwama, Kashmir, India
A suicide bomber drives a car bomb into an Indian paramilitary convoy, killing at least 40 people in one of the largest attacks in Kashmir.
2 January 2016
Pathankot Air Force Station, Punjab State, India
Six JEM militants armed with AK-47s and grenades attack the base, killing seven people and wounding 20 during a 12-hour gunfight with Indian security personnel.
1 October 2001
Srinagar, Kashmir, India
JEM conducts its first attack in India-administered Kashmir, detonating a car bomb outside the state assembly building and engaging in a shootout with Indian security forces, killing 31 people and injuring six.