IB sources told rediff.com that there is a recruitment drive across the country to induct women into terror outfits. Until now women have played a minor role in terror activities -- limited to providing shelter and recruitment in a small way.

Women & kids: The new soldiers of terror

Investigations have revealed that women may have been part of the 2002 attacks in Mumbai and Jaipur. In the 2002 bombing case in Mumbai, the police came to the conclusion that two women were involved. However, they have not been tracked down. After the Jaipur blasts, the IB claimed that women were involved, but they have not been traced either.

The IB says women are being used because terror outfits realise that the police have a tougher time tracking them down. The security agencies have no dossiers on women terrorists. There are no records to show past cases involving women and this makes investigations extremely difficult, IB sources add.

In India, we don't catch terrorists

Over the next few years, IB sources claim the Shaheen Force, a wing of the Students Islamic Movement of India, and Dukhtaran-e-Millat will emerge stronger if immediate action is not initiated. According to the sources, both these all-women outfits do not directly take part in terror activities.

The Dukhtaran, which is based in Jammu and Kashmir [Images], has been involved in providing logistic support, transportation and housing to terrorists. IB intercepts suggest that the Dukhtaran has been asked to help conduct attacks by the Lashkar-e-Tayiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad. Reports suggest that the Jaish has been training women extensively in Pakistan in handling bombs and the use of arms. The Lashkar, according to the IB, also runs a women's wing known as the Anjuman-e-Khwateen.

How SIMI goes about recruiting cadres

Women outfits derive inspiration from the Black Widows of Palestine who take part in suicide bombing. However, security forces say it is difficult to persuade women to undertake suicide attacks, since suicide is unacceptable in Islam.

IB sources say the terror groups usually target vulnerable women. Even if a woman is picked up, the sources claim, it is difficult to book her as the obvious tendency is to tell the court that she was unaware of the antecedents of the terrorist.