Masood Azhar Confirms 10 Members of His Family Among 14 Killed in India’s Operation Sindoor in Bahawalpur, Pakistan

Lahore, May 7 — In a rare acknowledgment, Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) chief Maulana Masood Azhar has confirmed that a missile strike carried out by India on the group’s headquarters in Bahawalpur killed 14 people, including 10 members of his own family and four of his close associates.

The targeted location, Jamia Masjid Subhan Allah in Bahawalpur, was struck as part of what Azhar referred to as “India’s Operation Sindoor.” In a statement attributed to the JeM founder, Azhar disclosed that among the deceased were his elder sister and her husband, a nephew and his wife, another niece, and five children belonging to his extended family.

In addition to the family casualties, the missile strike reportedly also killed one of Azhar’s senior associates and his mother, as well as two other close companions.

The Pakistani government has not officially confirmed or commented on the reported strike or its casualties. However, the statement, believed to be from Azhar himself, has been widely circulated by media outlets and signals a significant blow to the JeM’s leadership circle.

JeM, a UN-designated terrorist organization, has been linked to several high-profile attacks in India, including the 2019 Pulwama suicide bombing. India’s recent military move in Bahawalpur appears to be part of a broader strategy aimed at dismantling terrorist infrastructure operating from Pakistani soil.

While Indian officials have not formally commented on the specifics of Operation Sindoor, security experts believe the operation marks an escalation in India’s counter-terrorism posture, particularly in response to continued cross-border threats.

The loss of key family members and top associates may affect the operational capabilities of JeM in the near term. Observers say it could also trigger a new round of tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.

News article based on PTI report.