Masood Azhar says 10 family members, 4 aides killed in Indian strikes: Report

At least 14 family members of Jaish-e-Mohammed founder Masood Azhar were killed in the Indian military’s cross-border strikes under Operation Sindoor, as per reports on Wednesday.

Among those reportedly killed was the son of Azhar’s brother and India’s most wanted terrorist, Rauf Asghar, who is said to be critically injured.

The operation—India’s response to the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians on 22 April—targeted terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. As per reports, Indian forces launched precision missile strikes on Jaish-e-Mohammed’s stronghold in Bahawalpur and Lashkar-e-Taiba’s base in Muridke.

According to official briefings by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, Colonel Sofia Qureshi, and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, the strikes lasted 25 minutes and were “measured, proportionate, and non-escalatory”. Misri stated that despite the time since the Pahalgam attack, Pakistan had taken “no demonstrable step” against terror infrastructure.

He added that Indian intelligence had indicated “impending” terror attacks from Pakistan-based modules, necessitating a pre-emptive and deterrent response.

This development adds further weight to the symbolism of Operation Sindoor, named to honour the women widowed in the Pahalgam massacre. The targeting of key terror figures’ families, including Masood Azhar’s relatives, is being seen as a direct strike at the roots of Pakistan-based militant groups operating against India.