IC-814 Hijacking Mastermind Abdul Rauf Azhar Killed in Operation Sindoor Airstrikes

In a powerful retaliation to the recent terror strike in Pahalgam that claimed 26 innocent lives, India launched a series of precision airstrikes under Operation Sindoor, targeting key terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK). Among the high-value targets eliminated was Abdul Rauf Azhar, the operational head of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and a central figure in global jihadist networks.

Azhar, the brother of JeM chief Masood Azhar, is best known as the mastermind behind the 1999 IC-814 hijacking—an event that led to the release of multiple jailed terrorists, including Omar Saeed Sheikh. The same Omar Sheikh would later kidnap and orchestrate the brutal beheading of Wall Street Journal journalist Daniel Pearl in 2002. Azhar’s death in Bahawalpur marks a significant blow not only to Jaish-e-Mohammed but also to the broader terror ecosystem thriving in Pakistan.

Operation Sindoor: A Decisive Response to Terror

Following the deadly attack in Pahalgam, the Indian Armed Forces swiftly executed Operation Sindoor on Wednesday, targeting nine terror hubs across PoK and Pakistan. High-precision strikes were carried out on terror strongholds in Bahawalpur and Muridke in Pakistan’s Punjab province—headquarters of Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba respectively.

A senior official quoted by News18 confirmed, “Among those reported eliminated is Abdul Rauf Azhar—operational head of Jaish-e-Mohammed, mastermind of the IC-814 hijacking, and a central figure in international jihadist networks.”

These strikes are seen as a strategic and symbolic act of justice—not just for the lives lost in the Pahalgam attack, but also for Daniel Pearl, whose kidnapping and murder continue to haunt global consciousness.

Rauf Azhar and the Daniel Pearl Connection

Abdul Rauf Azhar’s legacy of terror includes facilitating the release of Omar Saeed Sheikh through the IC-814 hijacking in Kandahar. Sheikh would later be arrested and convicted for the abduction and murder of journalist Daniel Pearl. Pearl was investigating Islamic extremism when he disappeared in Karachi on January 23, 2002. Captured by a group calling itself the National Movement for the Restoration of Pakistani Sovereignty, Pearl was falsely accused of espionage and later beheaded—a crime that drew global condemnation.

The elimination of Azhar, a lynchpin in both the hijacking and Pearl’s murder, has been widely hailed as a critical win in the global war on terror.

Precision Airstrikes in Pakistan’s Heartland

Operation Sindoor struck deep within Pakistani territory—specifically Bahawalpur and Muridke. These cities have long been safe havens for terror outfits like JeM and Lashkar-e-Taiba. The strikes destroyed multiple facilities, reportedly decimating training camps, command centers, and communication nodes vital to these groups’ operations.

The Indian response sends a clear message: acts of terror on Indian soil will meet with swift and decisive military retribution. Moreover, by targeting leadership figures like Rauf Azhar, India aims to dismantle the operational capabilities of these organizations from the top down.