Lucknow Doctor Detained for Involvement with Jaish Women’s Wing in India

New Delhi, Nov 11, 2025 – Law enforcement officials have taken into custody Dr Shaheena Shahid, a physician based in Lucknow, alleging her involvement in the formation of the women’s wing of the Pakistan-based terrorist organization, Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), in India. This operation follows the dismantling of a terror cell in Faridabad, near Delhi, which resulted in the recovery of explosives and firearms.

Dr Shaheena Shahid is reportedly leading the JeM's inaugural women's brigade, Jamaat ul-Mominaat, under the direction of Sadiya Azhar, who is the sister of JeM's founder, Masood Azhar, in Pakistan. This development is significant, indicating a distressing expansion in JeM's strategy for recruitment and indoctrination, with Shahid allegedly targeting women connected to JeM commanders and those in vulnerable communities throughout northern India.

Her connections were unveiled following the detention of her associate, Kashmiri doctor Muzammil Ganaie, also known as Musaib, in Faridabad, where investigators discovered nearly 2,900 kg of explosives, timers, and other weapons at his rented location. Furthermore, Shahid’s vehicle, a Maruti Suzuki Swift registered in Faridabad, was found to contain an assault rifle, a pistol, and ammunition, establishing her direct link to the terror module.

Residing in the Lal Bagh area of Lucknow, Dr Shahid is also associated with Al-Falah University. Her deep ties with JeM’s operational framework in India have prompted further investigations into the extent of recruitment efforts and radicalization within their women’s wing. The Jamaat ul-Mominaat initiative launched its recruitment campaign in October at JeM centers in Pakistan, aiming to attract spouses of commanders and economically disadvantaged women from cities including Bahawalpur, Karachi, Muzaffarabad, Kotli, Haripur, and Mansehra.

Authorities assert that these arrests showcase a new strategic approach by JeM, leveraging professionals such as doctors to carry out terror activities. This crackdown on JeM cells in India highlights the persistent danger presented by transnational terrorist groups.

Investigators are actively working to trace the connections of this network spanning India and Pakistan, while Dr Shaheena Shahid remains in custody as authorities compile additional evidence regarding her involvement in the terror module.