Recruitment into Pakistan-backed terror networks has declined sharply following Operation Sindoor, prompting the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) to adopt a money-driven strategy to rebuild its cadre, according to intelligence assessments.
Officials said enlistment in groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammad and Lashkar-e-Tayiba has fallen by nearly 30 to 40 per cent after the Indian armed forces targeted terror infrastructure during the operation. The setback has forced a shift away from ideology-based mobilisation to financial incentives as the primary tool for recruitment.
Intelligence inputs indicate that the revised strategy is being applied across multiple networks, including Islamic terror groups, espionage modules, and Khalistan-linked outfits. The ISI has concluded that ideological motivation alone is no longer sufficient to attract recruits, particularly after the damage inflicted on the operational capabilities and morale of these organisations.
Officials said handlers are now actively scouting for youth across regions, offering monetary incentives ranging from Rs 10,000 to Rs 200,000 depending on assigned roles. The recruitment process has expanded beyond religious or social boundaries, with individuals being approached irrespective of faith or caste.
According to Intelligence Bureau sources, the lure of money has shown measurable traction, especially among those seeking an improved or high-profile lifestyle. Investigations have revealed that this approach is gaining more acceptance among aspirational youth rather than those driven purely by financial distress.
The ISI initially implemented this model within Khalistan-linked networks after observing limited traction in ideological mobilisation. It has since broadened the approach to other operational areas, including espionage and logistical support for terror activities.
Agencies have also flagged attempts to exploit the ongoing drug problem in Punjab. Recruiters are allegedly offering money to facilitate drug purchases, thereby creating dependency while drawing individuals into broader networks. Officials warned that such tactics could deepen existing vulnerabilities in affected regions.
Intelligence inputs suggest that the recruitment drive is expanding, with a particular focus on border areas where operatives are tasked with gathering sensitive information on troop movements and military installations. In urban centres, recruits are reportedly being used for reconnaissance activities, including filming government offices, judicial complexes, police stations, and transport hubs.
Officials said the emerging pattern indicates that the ISI is not preparing for immediate strikes but is instead building a long-term network across India. The objective appears to be the accumulation of intelligence and the gradual creation of a distributed support base capable of sustaining future operations.
The assessment comes at a time when Pakistan is simultaneously dealing with internal security challenges involving groups such as the Afghan Taliban, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, and the Balochistan Liberation Army. Intelligence inputs indicate that elements within Pakistan’s security establishment are also coordinating with outfits like the Islamic State Khorasan Province, Jaish-e-Mohammad, and Lashkar-e-Tayiba.
Officials said the adoption of a financial recruitment model is intended to revive both the ISI’s operational reach and the capacities of affiliated groups. By expanding its network and gathering data over time, the agency aims to strengthen its position despite recent setbacks.
Security agencies have also cautioned law enforcement to monitor social media influencers, noting that previous investigations uncovered espionage networks involving individuals with large online followings. Officials warned that such channels could again be targeted to shape narratives and extend influence operations.
Authorities said surveillance and coordinated intelligence efforts are being intensified to counter the evolving strategy, as agencies track the spread of recruitment networks and their potential impact on national security.
