Masood Azhar Confirms Death of 14 in Indian Strikes Under ‘Operation Sindoor’

Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar has confirmed that 10 of his family members and four close aides were killed in the recent airstrikes carried out by Indian armed forces. These strikes were part of ‘Operation Sindoor’, a mission targeting terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

Azhar said the strike on Markaz Subhan Allah, JeM’s headquarters in Bahawalpur, resulted in the deaths. The victims included his elder sister and her husband, a nephew and his wife and a niece. In his statement, Azhar expressed anger and threatened retaliation, saying that "no mercy should be expected" after this incident.

The Indian Air Force conducted precision strikes on nine terrorist-linked locations, including camps belonging to JeM, Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), and Hizbul Mujahideen (HM). These camps were reportedly being used for training, planning attacks, and infiltrating terrorists into India.

Among the major targets were Markaz Taiba in Muridke, Markaz Ahle Hadith in Barnala, and Shawai Nalla Camp in Muzaffarabad, all linked to LeT. Facilities in Tehra Kalan, Kotli, and Muzaffarabad linked to JeM, and camps in Sialkot and Kotli operated by HM, were also hit.

Officials said four targets were inside Pakistan and five in PoK. The operation was a response to increasing cross-border terrorism.

The name ‘Operation Sindoor’ holds emotional significance. It was inspired by a viral image showing a Hindu woman in shock beside her husband's body after a terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 people. The image became a symbol of the tragic loss and prompted the name of the mission.