Indian Air Force’s precision strike on Bahawalpur base kills 10 relatives of Jaish chief Masood Azhar, as India avenges the Pahalgam massacre.
New Delhi | May 7, 2025:
In a significant outcome of Operation Sindoor, India’s targeted missile strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) have reportedly killed 14 people closely linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Maulana Masood Azhar, including 10 of his family members.
According to a report by BBC Urdu, Azhar confirmed that among those killed in the Indian strike on Markaz Subhan Allah in Bahawalpur were his elder sister, her husband, his nephew, and the nephew’s wife. Four other close aides were also killed in the attack.
The strike on Markaz Subhan Allah, Jaish’s main operational headquarters, was part of India’s nine-site precision raid conducted early Wednesday in response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, which left 26 civilians dead.
Masood Azhar Issues Warning
In a defiant statement, Azhar lashed out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Indian state, declaring,
“Is zulm ne saare zabte tor diye hain. Ab koi reham ki umeed na rakhe.”
Translation: “This cruelty has broken all boundaries. No one should expect mercy now.”
Operation Sindoor: A Strategic and Symbolic Strike
The Indian government has described Operation Sindoor as “focused, measured, and non-escalatory,” targeting only known terrorist facilities and avoiding civilian or military infrastructure.
Also Read: “Sit In Pubs To Counter India”: Prominent Pak Journalist Najam Sethi’s Bizarre Remark
Of the nine sites hit:
- Four were located in Pakistan (including Bahawalpur, Muridke, Sialkot, and Chak Amru)
- Five were in PoK (including Muzaffarabad, Kotli, Barnala)
These sites were associated with banned groups including Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen. They reportedly functioned as training camps, operational bases, or launchpads for cross-border attacks.
Symbolism Behind ‘Operation Sindoor’
The operation’s name — Sindoor, or vermilion — was chosen in remembrance of the 25 Indian women widowed in the Pahalgam massacre. One viral image, showing a newlywed bride sitting beside her slain husband’s body, stirred national grief and rage, prompting the military response.
Key Targets Hit During Operation Sindoor
- Markaz Subhan Allah (Bahawalpur): JeM HQ, site of indoctrination and operations planning
- Markaz Taiba (Muridke): LeT’s main training base, linked to 26/11
- Mehmoona Joya Facility (Sialkot): Hizbul Mujahideen infiltration site
- Markaz Abbas and Raheel Shahid camps (Kotli): Used for training and infiltration
- Shawai Nallah & Syedna Bilal Camps (Muzaffarabad): Known LeT and JeM hubs
- Markaz Ahle Hadith (Barnala): Aiding infiltration into Poonch-Rajouri
- Sarjal / Tehra Kalan (Narowal): Tunnel and drone ops base near Samba sector
Background
The April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, carried out by The Resistance Front (a Lashkar proxy), claimed 26 lives, including tourists and a local pony operator. Victims were allegedly asked their religion before being executed.
India vowed a response, and Operation Sindoor is seen as the first major tri-services military operation since 1971. It was closely monitored by Prime Minister Modi.
Tags: Masood Azhar, Operation Sindoor, Indian Air Force, Jaish-e-Mohammed, Pahalgam attack, India-Pakistan, Terrorism, OperationSindoor,