Masood Azhar: Terrorist Whose Relatives Perished in Operation Sindoor
Unfiltered Recap: Masood Azhar's Tumultuous Life
Talk about this bloody bloke, Masood Azhar. Born in 1968 in Pakistan's Bahawalpur, he's the founder of the Pakistan-based terrorist group, Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM). This terrorist hooligan cut his teeth in Harkat-ul-Mujahideen before getting busted by Indian authorities in 1994 for nicking Western tourists. He was then a free man in 1999, traded for some hostages during the Indian Airlines flight IC-814 hijack.
Azhar is one of India's most wanted and notorious scoundrels, earned the title of global terrorist by the United Nations Security Council in 2019. They linked him to Al-Qaeda and accused him of being behind horrific terror activities through JeM.
This ruthless villain has played a direct role in masterminding some of the deadliest attacks on India, such as:
- The 2001 Indian Parliament attack
- The 2016 Pathankot airbase attack
- The 2019 Pulwama attack targeting Indian soldiers
These attacks have generated chaos and strained ties between India and Pakistan[1][4].
Expecting retribution, Azhar just suffered a heavy loss - ten of his family members and four of his cronies in Operation Sindoor, a military strike by India, targeting terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) linked to JeM and other groups in 2025. The operation wiped out the Jaish training camp in Bahawalpur, Pakistan, a significant spot rumored to house Azhar and other high-ranking JeM operatives[1][3][4][5].
This retroactive strike was a calculated reaction to a lethal terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 people[1][3][4][5].
In essence, Masood Azhar is a notable militant leader behind the violent JeM, implicated in numerous terrorist attacks in India. His global terror designation and ongoing involvement with JeM highlight his role in South Asian terrorism dynamics[1][4].
Notably, Islamabad has frequently ignored revealed evidence of Azhar's presence there[2]. When questioned about his action against the UN-designated terrorist, PM Shehbaz Sharif conveniently sidesteps the issue[2]. China temporarily blocked international sanctions against Azhar's brother, JeM's second-in-command, in 2022[2].
In conclusion, Masood Azhar continues to pose a significant threat to peace in the region[1][4]. Let us hope for change, but for now, keep your eyes peeled for more unexpected twists in this ongoing saga.
Fun Fact: In 2022, fake news of Azhar's death spread like wildfire on social media, proving it's a chaotic world out there[5].
- Masood Azhar, the founder of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), was reportedly operating from a significant training camp in Bahawalpur, Pakistan, which was targeted in Operation Sindoor, a military strike by India in 2025.
- The strike in Bahawalpur resulted in the loss of ten family members of Masood Azhar and four of his associates, who are reported to be connected with JeM.
- The eradication of the Jaish training camp in Bahawalpur, a locale often linked to Azhar and other high-ranking JeM operatives, was a retaliatory response to a lethal terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, that claimed 26 lives in 2025.
- Despite international designations and evidence linking Masood Azhar to terrorism, Islamabad has frequently evaded action against the global terrorist, keeping the possibility of further chaos and strained ties between India and Pakistan.
[1] [4] denote source references.
