Indian defense sources claim this shift stems from PoK's vulnerability to Indian strikes, with Pakistani government agencies allegedly facilitating the move.

Launched on May 7, 2025, Operation Sindoor was India's retaliatory response to the deadly Pahalgam terrorist attack on April 22, which claimed 26 lives, including civilians. The operation involved precision missile strikes that destroyed nine terrorist bases across seven Pakistani locations, including Bahawalpur, Muridke, and Muzaffarabad. Over 100 terrorists were eliminated, targeting four JeM camps, three Lashkar-e-Taiba sites, and two HM hideouts.

A significant revelation came from JeM itself, admitting for the first time that family members of its founder, Maulana Masood Azhar, were killed in the Bahawalpur strike. In a viral video, JeM commander Masood Ilyas Kashmiri described how Azhar's relatives were "torn to pieces," including his elder sister, nephew, niece, and others totaling 10 family members and four associates. Azhar, mastermind behind the 2001 Indian Parliament attack, 2016 Pathankot assault, and 2019 Pulwama bombing, escaped as he was absent.

Sources indicate JeM conducted a recruitment drive in Mansehra district, KPK, on September 14, disguised as a religious event timed before an India-Pakistan cricket match. Senior commander Ilyas Kashmiri, a high-value target linked to Azhar, led the gathering under police protection, praising Osama bin Laden. Backed by groups like Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI), these activities highlight alleged state support.

Indian intelligence warns that KPK's mountainous regions now serve as a "safe haven" for these groups, raising concerns over cross-border threats. As tensions simmer, experts urge heightened vigilance amid Pakistan's reported complicity in terror relocation.