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Precision strikes weakened LeT and JeM, yet both are regenerating capacity through dispersed bases, digital fundraising, and ideological mobilisation led by covert state support.
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While the precision and scale of Operation Sindoor destroyed key command-and-control facilities of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), recent reports point to a familiar pattern of tactical resilience and strategic adaptation by the two Pakistan terror proxies. There are indications that the Pakistan-based United Nations (UN) designated terrorist groups LeT and JeM are regrouping. Although both suffered considerable losses in Op Sindoor, they have swiftly adapted, thanks to the able support from the Pakistani establishment. The focus now rests on rebuilding—shifting some bases deeper inland, leveraging local sympathiser networks, and weaponising the narrative of victimhood to replenish ranks.
Following extensive damage to key facilities, LeT and JeM have moved from large, centralised camps to a dispersed model, given Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK)’s continued vulnerability to Indian strikes.
Following extensive damage to key facilities, LeT and JeM have moved from large, centralised camps to a dispersed model, given Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK)’s continued vulnerability to Indian strikes. While both groups have dispersed some cadres and assets from PoK to remote areas in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), they have also commenced the reconstruction of damaged facilities. Resumption of fundraising and recruitment, the formation of a JeM women’s wing and jihadi propaganda aimed at women are also underway. Overall, these developments suggest a strategic pivot by both LeT and JeM towards a state of revival.
Reports indicate that LeT has relocated its assets from PoK further into Pakistan, specifically to the KPK province, to evade future Indian airstrikes. Indian security agencies note that LeT is devoting considerable resources to constructing a new training facility called Markaz Jihad-e-Aqsa near the Afghan border in Lower Dir—farther from the Indian border. Such relocation offers greater operational depth due to the rugged terrain of KPK, its proximity to the Afghan frontier, and existing terror safe havens. In addition, there are efforts to revitalise LeT’s base in Muridke and other hubs. Notwithstanding losses during Op Sindoor, LeT appears to have ensured its training nodes are not affected by temporarily relocating its cadres and assets to alternate facilities, including Markaz Aqsa in Bahawalpur and Markaz Yarmouk in Kasur. Likewise, the JeM has shifted emphasis from large training camps to smaller and dispersed sites to evade detection.
Notwithstanding losses during Op Sindoor, LeT appears to have ensured its training nodes are not affected by temporarily relocating its cadres and assets to alternate facilities.
Open source reports have revealed that LeT spokesmen acknowledge damage sustained during Op Sindoor and assertions of reconstruction. Media reports indicate that LeT, with assistance from Pak agencies, is rebuilding its headquarters in Muridke. The demolition of damaged structures in Muridke, which began in mid-August, was completed by early September. Since then, reconstruction has been underway. Reports suggest LeT plans to inaugurate the renovated complex by 5 February 2026, coinciding with Kashmir Solidarity Day, to garnish the propaganda.
The Pakistani establishment has pledged financial assistance for the reconstruction efforts of both the LeT and JeM and has reportedly disbursed an initial PKR 4 crore to the LeT. The group is sourcing additional funds through front organisations, including in the name of flood relief. LeT is using both offline and online modes (EasyPaisa, JazzCash, SadaPay, Payoneer), often presenting cadres as relief workers, to divert collected money towards rebuilding its damaged facilities. There is also preliminary evidence indicative of a collusion between LeT terrorists and the Pakistani establishment, with cadres organising relief activities alongside Pakistani Rangers and officials.
Similarly, reports indicate that since the destruction of its headquarters, Markaz Subhan Allah in Bahawalpur, JeM has embarked on a fundraising drive to rebuild its infrastructure. It plans to raise PKR 3.91 billion (US$14 million) to establish 313 such markaz across Pakistan. JeM is utilising fintech platforms such as EasyPaisa & SadaPay to source funds and to circumvent scrutiny. Furthermore, reports also suggest that, notwithstanding the damage to its Bahawalpur base, JeM has reopened certain training facilities, including the swimming pool at its Bahawalpur madrassa, which was used for training.
There is also preliminary evidence indicative of a collusion between LeT terrorists and the Pakistani establishment, with cadres organising relief activities alongside Pakistani Rangers and officials.
To reduce vulnerability to cross-border strikes, the LeT is dispersing its training and operational nodes away from hitherto exposed sites and establishing facilities in the distant Afghan border region. There has been a resumption of training and redeployment of instructors/cadres to replacement sites after Op Sindoor.
There are also reports indicating that terror training camps and launch pads, including those operated by LeT and JeM, are being reactivated along the Line of Control (LoC). These new camps are relatively smaller and dispersed to make them harder to detect and neutralise.
Recent videos show LeT’s continuing emphasis on recruitment and radicalisation, including jihadi propaganda aimed at women and families, signalling a push towards wider societal validation. After a brief lull, JeM is also gradually scaling up jihadi propaganda via social media and recruitment via affiliated madrassas. Recruitment has been reported recently in areas such as Bahawalpur, Karachi, Muzaffarabad, Kotli, Haripur, and Mansehra, among others.
JeM has announced the launch of a new online jihadi course named “Tuhfa-tul-Muminaat” from 8 November 2025 to recruit women into its newly created (October 2025) female wing, Jamaat-ul-Muminaat, which is headed by Sadiya Azhar, one of Jaish chief Masood Azhar’s sisters. The wing’s Shura also includes Safia Azhar, another of Masood Azhar’s sisters, and Afreera Farooq, wife of Pulwama terror attack mastermind Umar Farooq, who the Indian Army neutralised. In the 40-minute daily course, women family members of Jaish leaders will teach religious duties and jihad. Each woman enrolling will be charged PKR 500, collected via digital platforms. Masood Azhar, who in his 27 September 2025 speech at Bahawalpur appealed for donations, has now extended the drive online through this course. On 19 October 2025, the JeM also organised an event in PoK’s Rawalkot called “Dukhtaran-e-Islam” to attract women into their fold. However, available evidence does not indicate any operational role for women in JeM.
JeM has announced the launch of a new online jihadi course named “Tuhfa-tul-Muminaat” from 8 November 2025 to recruit women into its newly created (October 2025) female wing, Jamaat-ul-Muminaat.
After Op Sindoor, LeT released propaganda videos acknowledging damage in some cases while asserting revenge and revamping its martyrdom narrative. LeT and JeM have since ramped up their anti-India rhetoric, using social media platforms to disseminate jihadi messaging and recruit sympathisers.
After a brief hiatus, LeT has gradually resumed organising public rallies, which also serve the purpose of recruitment. LeT is planning to hold its first major rally since Op Sindoor, at Lahore’s Minar-e-Pakistan on 9 November 2025. Key terrorist leaders such as Hafiz Abdul Rauf and Pahalgam attack mastermind Saifullah Kasuri are being featured in promotional material of the rally. The Pakistan Markaz-e-Muslim League, a front organisation of the LeT, is bringing this rally to fruition. At the rally, a message from the LeT chief and most-wanted terrorist, Hafiz Saeed, is likely to be read out by his son, Talha Saeed.
Operation Sindoor imposed costs on Pakistan and temporarily damaged some of the terror infrastructure of the LeT and JeM, but did not neutralise their ability to reorganise. Evidence since then indicates relocation and reconstruction. In the short to medium term, one can expect greater dispersal of facilities deeper within PoK and in KPK (harder to detect/target), emphasis on smaller facilities rather than single large campuses, clandestine recruitment and online jihadi propaganda, and relocation of key terrorist leaders/units into remote areas, especially near the Afghan border. There are indications that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is emerging as a focus area for Pakistan’s proxy war in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). From a counter-terrorism perspective, specific concerns zero in on the re-emergence of terror capability, dispersed bases, including in KPK, and training infrastructure, as well as funding through less-monitored channels.
Operation Sindoor imposed costs on Pakistan and temporarily damaged some of the terror infrastructure of the LeT and JeM, but did not neutralise their ability to reorganise.
Even as Op Sindoor changed the operational environment and raised costs for Pakistan, the terror enterprise in that country has indeed, as in the past, taken to adaptation. Achieving kinetic success does not automatically translate into strategic containment, and Pakistan’s jihadist architecture continues to regenerate. Terror groups such as the LeT and JeM have demonstrated resilience through relocation and reconstruction. These developments indicate the involvement of the Pak Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) in orchestrating a calibrated revival of anti-India terror infrastructure. Going forward, the LeT and JeM’s ability to recover will continue to pose a threat/concern for India.
Kanchan Lakshman is a Delhi-based security analyst. His areas of specialisation include terrorism, radicalisation, left-wing extremism, and internal security.
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Kanchan Lakshman is a Delhi-based security analyst. His area of specialisation includes terrorism, radicalisation, Left Wing Extremism & internal security. ...
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