In a decisive counter-terrorism operation on the morning of May 7, 2025, Indian forces eliminated Abdul Rauf Azhar, the notorious operational chief of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and mastermind behind the 1999 IC-814 hijacking. The operation, codenamed ‘Operation Sindoor’, targeted terror infrastructure deep within Pakistan, striking nine major terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK).
The strikes, launched at dawn, targeted key terrorist hubs, including the Markaz Subhan Allah complex in Bahawalpur, Punjab, Pakistan. This sprawling facility served as JeM’s central hub for training, radicalisation, and coordination of attacks on Indian soil. During the 23-minute precise assault, Indian forces successfully neutralised several high-profile targets, including Abdul Rauf Azhar, who was killed within the compound.
The complex, covering over 15 acres and located near Karachi Mor on NH-5, had been functioning as the ideological and operational nerve center for JeM. Known for housing around 600 terrorists, including key leaders, the facility had been the launching point for numerous attacks on India, including the Pulwama bombing of 2019. Intelligence reports indicated that JeM members at the site were armed with NATO M4 rifles and had been coordinating with Afghan commanders.
Abdul Rauf Azhar, younger brother of JeM chief Masood Azhar, rose to prominence following the hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight IC-814 in December 1999. The hijacking, orchestrated by Rauf, forced the Indian government to release Masood Azhar along with two other terrorists. This event marked the beginning of JeM’s violent campaign against India, with Rauf playing a key role in its operations.
Known as the de-facto head of JeM during his brother’s absences, Rauf remained a shadowy figure, seldom seen in public but constantly orchestrating high-profile terror strikes.
1999 | IC-814 Hijacking: Rauf played a pivotal role in orchestrating the hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight IC-814, which set in motion a series of events leading to the release of his brother Masood Azhar, later the founder of JeM. This act elevated Rauf’s prominence within Pakistan’s jihadi circles and deepened his involvement in the terror network.
2001 | Indian Parliament Attack: A highly coordinated strike by Lashkar-e-Taiba and Rauf Azhar’s operatives, this attack on India’s Parliament nearly sparked full-scale war between India and Pakistan, marking a pivotal moment in India’s fight against terrorism.
2005 | Ayodhya Temple Attack: A deliberate attempt to provoke communal violence, the attack on the makeshift Ram temple site bore the unmistakable hallmarks of Rauf’s strategies, blending religious tension with ruthless violence.
2016 | Pathankot Airbase Attack: Rauf Azhar’s involvement was key in orchestrating the Pathankot assault, where six heavily armed Pakistani terrorists breached a critical Indian military facility, escalating tensions between the two nations.
Rauf Azhar’s most infamous act came on February 14, 2019, when a JeM suicide bomber targeted a CRPF convoy at Lethpora, Pulwama, killing 40 soldiers. The attack, orchestrated under Rauf’s guidance, was executed by Adil Ahmad Dar, a Kashmiri youth radicalised by JeM. The attack was unprecedented in scale and brutality, drawing condemnation from global leaders and prompting India to strike the Balakot camp weeks later.
Following the Pulwama attack, India and the United States proposed Rauf’s designation as a global terrorist at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). Despite presenting incontrovertible evidence, China blocked the move, citing procedural reasons. Rauf remained a wanted figure internationally, with the U.S. Treasury Department designating him a global terrorist in 2010.
Sources indicate that Rauf Azhar’s funeral, held on May 7, was attended by members of the Pakistan Army and ISI, reflecting his influence within Pakistan’s terror infrastructure. His death marks a significant blow to JeM, which had been attempting to regroup and expand its operations despite increasing international pressure.
With Abdul Rauf Azhar’s elimination, the Indian intelligence community considers this a major victory against JeM’s leadership. Analysts predict a significant disruption in JeM’s operations, as Rauf played a central role in strategizing and planning major terror attacks. Indian forces continue to monitor JeM’s activities, anticipating potential retaliatory strikes or regrouping efforts.
Operation Sindoor serves as a stark reminder of India’s commitment to combating cross-border terrorism and delivering justice for victims of heinous attacks. Abdul Rauf Azhar’s death is seen as a closure for families of those killed in attacks masterminded by the JeM leader, including the Parliament attack, Pathankot assault, and Pulwama bombing.
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