Who is Masood Azhar, Terrorist Whose Relatives Have Been Killed in India’s Strikes?
Masood Azhar, the mastermind behind the Pulwama attack that killed 40 CRPF soldiers, is a name that has been etched in the minds of Indians for decades. The UN-designated terrorist is the chief of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), a Pakistan-based terrorist organization that has been responsible for numerous attacks on Indian soil. But what makes Azhar’s story even more intriguing is the fact that his relatives have been killed in India’s retaliatory strikes on Pakistan.
In this blog post, we will delve into the life and times of Masood Azhar, from his early days as a militant to his rise as the chief of JeM, and how his family members have been caught in the crossfire of India’s military strikes.
Early Life and Militancy
Masood Azhar was born in 1968 in Bahawalpur, a city in the Pakistani province of Punjab. He hails from a family of devout Muslim intellectuals and was deeply influenced by the teachings of Islamic fundamentalists. Azhar’s family was known for its strong anti-Indian sentiments, and he was deeply affected by the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in India.
In the late 1980s, Azhar joined the Harkat-ul-Mujahideen (HuM), a Pakistan-based terrorist organization that was fighting against Indian forces in Kashmir. During his time with HuM, Azhar underwent intensive military training and was involved in several attacks on Indian military personnel.
Release from Prison and Rise to Power
In 1994, Azhar was arrested by Indian authorities and jailed for his involvement in a plot to assassinate the then-Prime Minister of India, P.V. Narasimha Rao. However, his release was demanded by the hijackers of Indian Airlines Flight 814 in 1999, and he was eventually set free in exchange for the hostages.
After his release, Azhar returned to Pakistan and founded Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), a terrorist organization that was dedicated to fighting against Indian forces in Kashmir. JeM quickly gained notoriety for its brutal attacks on Indian military personnel and civilians, including the 2001 parliament attack that killed over 100 people.
The Pulwama Attack
On February 14, 2019, JeM carried out a devastating attack on a CRPF convoy in Pulwama, Kashmir, that killed 40 soldiers. The attack was widely condemned by the international community, and India responded with a series of airstrikes on JeM’s training camps in Pakistan.
Operation Sindoor Strikes
On February 26, 2019, India launched Operation Sindoor, a series of airstrikes on JeM’s training camps in Pakistan. The airstrikes were carried out in response to the Pulwama attack and were intended to dismantle JeM’s infrastructure and capabilities.
In a bizarre twist, the strikes also resulted in the deaths of 10 members of Masood Azhar’s family, including his brother-in-law and several nieces and nephews. The strikes targeted Azhar’s family members who were living in a compound in Balakot, Pakistan, that was associated with JeM.
International Reaction
The Pulwama attack and India’s retaliatory airstrikes sparked a global backlash against Azhar and JeM. The United Nations Security Council designated Azhar as a terrorist and imposed sanctions on him and his organization.
The Indian government has also been pushing for Azhar’s designation as a global terrorist and has sought international support to bring him to justice. The United States has also listed Azhar as a global terrorist, and his assets have been frozen.
Conclusion
Masood Azhar is a terrorist who has been responsible for numerous attacks on Indian soil, including the 2001 parliament attack and the 2019 Pulwama attack. His organization, JeM, has been designated as a terrorist organization by the United Nations, and Azhar himself has been listed as a global terrorist.
Despite his terrorist activities, Azhar’s family members have been caught in the crossfire of India’s military strikes, with 10 of them killed in Operation Sindoor. The incident highlights the devastating consequences of terrorism and the need for international cooperation to bring terrorists like Azhar to justice.
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