AI-Generated Masood Azhar Videos Aimed at Jaish Recruits
New Delhi, October 31: Terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), headquartered in Pakistan, has started using artificial intelligence to fabricate audio and video of its chief, Masood Azhar. The goal is to revive recruitment, which has slumped after heavy losses during Operation Sindoor.
The Islamic State (ISIS) and Al-Qaeda were among the first terror outfits to bring AI into their operations, according to intelligence assessments. The Islamic State was the earliest to take advantage of the technology, and Al-Qaeda is also rapidly moving toward it. Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, by contrast, have so far depended on traditional communication and recruitment methods.
Indian intelligence agencies have now learned that Jaish is widely using AI-generated audio and video. Officials believe the group took this step because its top leadership has not made public appearances since Operation Sindoor last year.
An Intelligence Bureau official said Jaish's recruitment had received a major blow, particularly after the operation. The campaign was launched by Indian armed forces following the Pahalgam attack, which killed several innocent tourists.
During the operation, Jaish's Bahawalpur headquarters was destroyed. A number of militants, including several close relatives of Masood Azhar, were also killed.
Masood Azhar's long absence from public view hurt recruitment. People began questioning his whereabouts and activity, and many hesitated to join an organisation whose leader did not seem to be active.
One official said audio-visual clips meant to strengthen morale and attract recruits were exposed as old and recycled footage. Jaish then resolved to use AI on a large scale to reshape its image.
Using AI, the group is producing clips intended to show that Masood Azhar is active and still commanding the organisation. In these videos, Azhar is depicted urging people to join and calling for jihad against India.
Another official pointed out that older videos were easy to recognise because many people had already watched them. He also said that the fast pace of AI development has made it difficult for ordinary workers and potential recruits to separate genuine material from fake.
According to officials, the campaign is designed especially for less educated workers and young people who could be recruited. Checking whether a video is authentic or verifying its claims is not easy for them, which is why the audience was chosen deliberately.
A further official said Jaish-e-Mohammed's main aim is to increase recruitment.
In recent months, many people contacted for recruitment were reluctant or refused outright. They sought evidence that Masood Azhar was still active, but recruiters failed to give satisfactory answers.
To these individuals and longtime members, Masood Azhar remains a hero. Few are ready to join the group without him, and both morale and recruitment have suffered as a result.
Officials say AI has allowed Jaish to contain the problem to a considerable degree for now. However, the group also faces the question of leadership after Masood Azhar. It is therefore reportedly planning AI-based propaganda in rural parts of India as well as in Pakistan.
The videos for India will be prepared in different regions and local languages. Jaish has deliberately targeted rural and economically weaker sections, where awareness of generative AI technologies is comparatively low and the group believes people can be influenced easily.
According to one official, AI-generated videos will help Jaish not only expand recruitment but also buy time until it finds new leadership.