Masood Azhar’s Family Killed in Indian Airstrike During ‘Operation Sindoor’; 14 Eliminated Including Brother and Son

National Times Bureau, May 7, 2025: In a major blow to Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed, 14 members of its chief Masood Azhar’s family were reportedly killed in a precision Indian airstrike under Operation Sindoor. The air raid targeted the group’s main base in Bahawalpur, Pakistan, early on May 7, following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir.

Among the dead are Masood Azhar’s wife, son, brother Rauf Azhar (a key conspirator in the 1999 IC-814 hijacking), sister, nieces, nephews, and other close aides. The Indian Air Force struck the Markaz Subhan Allah complex — the main operational hub for Jaish-e-Mohammed — around 1:30 AM. The same location has been linked to planning multiple high-profile attacks against India.

Masood Azhar himself confirmed the loss, stating in a message, “Ten of my family members and four close companions have been martyred. It would’ve been better if I had died with them.”

The elimination of Rauf Azhar in particular is being celebrated within Indian security circles as a major counter-terrorism success.

Operation Sindoor was launched in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam attack that killed 25 Indian citizens and one Nepali. In total, nine terrorist camps were bombed across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in the operation.

The airstrikes have drawn strong international attention, with the United Nations and several world powers urging both nations to de-escalate tensions and engage in dialogue.