Masood Azhar Breaks Silence on Bahawalpur Strikes: Claims 10 Family Members, 4 Aides Killed

Quick Summary

• Bahawalpur, the 12th largest city in Pakistan adn a key base of Jaish-e-mohammed (JeM), was targeted in India’s recent precision strikes.
• Indian Armed Forces carried out Operation Sindoor on Tuesday night, striking nine terror camps across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK).
• The strikes aimed at high-profile locations, including Lashkar-e-taiba’s Markaz Taiba in Muridke and JeM’s headquarters Markaz Subhan Allah in Bahawalpur.
• Masood Azhar, chief of JeM, confirmed that 10 family members-including his sister and brother-in-law-where killed during the operation.
• These strikes follow a deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam that resulted in 26 fatalities.
• Indian officials emphasize that the operation was performed with surgical precision to avoid damage to civilian or non-terrorist infrastructure. The strike plan was monitored by Prime Minister Modi and senior security officials.

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Indian Opinion Analysis

Operation Sindoor highlights India’s strategic use of military precision to target terror infrastructure while reportedly avoiding civilian or unrelated military losses. This reinforces its commitment to countering terrorism emanating from across the border. By targeting prominent facilities like JeM’s headquarters deep within Pakistan’s territory, the operation sends a strong message against harboring terror groups.

The presence of Masood Azhar’s family among those killed underscores how deeply integrated such groups are within these operational hubs. Domestically, this action can be seen as an assertion of national security preparedness following recurring attacks on Indian soil like Pahalgam’s tragedy.On an international level, India is highly likely aiming to showcase its counter-terrorism resolve without escalating full-scale conflict-a careful balancing act that underlines both restraint and firmness.