Our Bureau
New Delhi
In a major escalation following the recent Pahalgam terror attack, Indian airstrikes under “Operation Sindoor” have killed 14 people, including 10 members of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar’s family and four of his close aides, according to multiple sources and statements attributed to Azhar himself.
The strikes targeted the JeM headquarters at Jamia Masjid Subhan Allah in Bahawalpur, Pakistan. Among those killed were Azhar’s elder sister, her husband, a nephew and his wife, a niece, and five children from the extended family. The remaining four were identified as key aides within the JeM organization. The operation was carried out as a direct response to the Pahalgam attack, which claimed the lives of 26 innocents in cold blood.
In a statement circulated by Pakistani media and quoted by Indian news agencies, Masood Azhar expressed “no regret, no despair” over the deaths, framing the loss as a sacrifice for the group’s cause. Indian officials have not commented on the specifics of the strike but have reiterated their commitment to targeting terror infrastructure across the border.
The Pakistani government is yet to issue an official response to the incident, but the airstrikes have heightened tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. Security has been increased along the border, and diplomatic channels are reportedly active to manage the fallout.
Operation Sindoor marks one of the most significant blows to JeM’s leadership in recent years. Analysts suggest the strike could disrupt the group’s operations, but also warn of potential retaliatory attacks or escalation in the region. The international community has called for restraint, urging both sides to avoid further violence.
