JeM uses E-wallets to bypass FATF, mini camps to evade Indian military strikes

New Delhi: Hit hard by India during Operation Sindoor that targeted its headquarters and training camps, Pakistan-based Jaish e Mohamed (JeM) has been trying to raise funds using an elaborate digital wallet network and has been decentralising operations to minimise the impact of further Indian strikes on terror establishments across the border.

Sources tracking the terrorist organisation said that the outfit has drawn up a PKR 3.9-billion plan to establish a vast 'Markaz' or religious centre network that would replicate the modus used by Lashkar-e-Taiba. This includes setting up 313 new camps to make it more difficult for Indian agencies to track terror operations.

The money is being raised using digital wallets that are linked to the family members of JeM leader Masood Azar and agencies have identified at least five such wallets with direct links to the proscribed organisation. This approach is being used to avoid scrutiny from international terror watchers like the FATF that has access only to bank records and would not be able to act on contributions made to an elaborate network of family members.

Sources said digital wallets like 'EasyPaisa' and 'SadaPay' are being used to collect the funds and these function outside banking networks by allowing wallet-to-wallet and wallet-to-cash transfers. This would make FATF monitoring difficult.

Sources added that Azhar's family uses 7 to 8 mobile wallets at any given time and replaces them every four months. After large amounts of money accumulate in the wallets, they are spilt into smaller amounts or are withdrawn as cash. At least 30 new wallets are activated every month.

A collection drive for the PKR 3.9 billion plan is currently on, under the garb of creating the Markaz network. Sources however pointed out that by even generous estimates, the total cost of setting up the network would not surpass PKR 1.23 billion. The remaining money is likely to be used for weapon purchases and equipping terrorists aimed at India, with the estimate that this would sustain operations for the next decade.