Abdul Rauf Asghar, the brother of JeM chief Masood Azhar and a key conspirator in the 1999 IC-814 Kandahar hijacking, was killed in Indian airstrikes that targeted terrorist hubs in Pakistan.
India carried out Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting nine terror camps across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
Indian intelligence had been tracking Rauf Azhar for years, citing his role in major terrorist attacks, including the 2001 Parliament attack, the Pathankot IAF base attack, and the deadly Pulwama bombing. Intelligence reports indicated that Azhar was actively involved in setting up terror camps and coordinating funding for JeM.
India launched Operation Sindoor as a response to the Pahalgam terror attack, which shook the nation in recent weeks. The surgical strikes focused on key terror strongholds, including Balakot, Manshera, Muzaffarabad, and Bahawalpur, where Azhar was located.
Experts see Operation Sindoor as part of India’s broader counter-terror campaign against Pakistan-based militant groups. The move signals India’s unwavering commitment to eliminating terrorist networks that continue to threaten national security.
The strike has received international attention, with security analysts calling it one of India’s most significant anti-terror operations in recent history. Officials say more details on Operation Sindoor’s impact on terror networks will be revealed in the coming days.
