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10 Family Members of Jaish-e-Mohammed Chief Masood Azhar Killed in Operation Sindoor

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10 Family Members of Jaish-e-Mohammed Chief Masood Azhar Killed in Operation Sindoor

India’s precision military campaign under Operation Sindoor has delivered one of the most consequential blows to cross-border terrorism in recent memory. Among those killed in the targeted airstrikes were ten members of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar’s family and four of his close aides. The strikes, launched across nine terror-linked locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), represent a bold and strategic retaliation for the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 innocent lives.

Masood Azhar, founder of the UN-designated terrorist organization JeM, confirmed the deaths in a statement, naming his elder sister, her husband, his nephew and wife, and a niece among the deceased. The strike on Bahawalpur’s Markaz Subhan Allah, JeM’s headquarters, was reportedly the most devastating, eliminating both key infrastructure and high-ranking personnel. Reacting to the loss, Azhar lashed out, declaring that the Indian offensive had “broken all boundaries” and warning that “no one should expect mercy.”

Precision Strikes on Pakistan-Based Terror Networks

India’s air offensive was meticulously planned and executed by the Indian Air Force, which launched pre-dawn raids on May 6. The operation targeted nine terror facilities—four located in Pakistan and five in PoK. The strikes destroyed command centers, training camps, and arms depots linked to JeM, Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), and Hizbul Mujahideen.

Key targets included Markaz Subhan Allah in Bahawalpur, Sarjal at Tehra Kalan, and Markaz Abbas in Kotli, all associated with Jaish-e-Mohammed. Markaz Taiba in Muridke, linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba, was another significant target. Also hit were Syedna Bilal and Shwawai Nalla camps in Muzaffarabad and Makaz Raheel Shahid in Kotli, along with Mehmoona Joya in Sialkot—strongholds of Hizbul Mujahideen.

The operation involved the use of advanced munitions, including SCALP missiles and HAMMER bombs, to ensure precise damage to terror infrastructure without escalating into full-scale conflict or causing civilian casualties.

A Retaliation Rooted in National Grief and Resolve

Operation Sindoor draws its name from the traditional vermilion symbol worn by Hindu women, with a powerful backstory behind its symbolism. On April 22, a haunting image of a grieving Hindu woman sitting beside the body of her slain husband went viral, capturing the raw anguish of the Pahalgam attack. This image came to symbolize the pain of countless Indian families devastated by terrorism, and inspired the naming of the operation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the operation a “moment of national pride” and assured the country that justice had been served. The government stated that the mission was “measured, proportionate, and responsible,” aiming solely at eliminating the operational backbone of terror groups without crossing ethical or geopolitical red lines.

Strategic Impact and a Clear Message

Security sources revealed that this operation not only neutralized several top terror operatives but also disrupted the functioning of entire training ecosystems. The coordinated nature of the strike, coupled with India’s restraint in avoiding civilian or military targets, underscores a shift toward high-precision, non-escalatory military doctrine.

The success of Operation Sindoor sends an unmistakable message to terror sponsors and operatives alike—India will respond decisively, strategically, and with moral clarity when innocent lives are taken. With the deaths of Masood Azhar’s family members and trusted confidants, India has made it clear that accountability for terrorism will extend beyond the battlefield and into the homes of its orchestrators.