Masood Azhar Confirms Death of 14 Kin in Indian Strikes, Says ‘I Wish I Had Died Too

Maulana Masood Azhar, the chief of the UN-designated terrorist organization Jaish-e-Mohammed, has acknowledged the deaths of ten family members and four close associates in retaliatory strikes by Indian security forces. These strikes were carried out under ‘Operation Sindoor’, launched in response to the recent terror attack in Pahalgam. The revelation was made through a statement attributed to Azhar, as reported by news agency PTI.

The strikes reportedly targeted the Jaish-e-Mohammed headquarters and Jamia Masjid Subhan Allah in Bahawalpur, Pakistan. Among those killed were Azhar’s elder sister, her husband, his nephew and niece along with their spouses, and five children from their extended family.

In a declaration released following the strike, the 56-year-old terrorist said, “Tonight, ten members of my family experienced this joy (referring to death). Among them were five innocent children, my elder sister, her honorable husband, my nephew Fazil, his wife, my beloved niece Fazila, my dear brother Huzaifa, his mother, and two more dear companions.” He referred to them as having become “guests in the divine court of Allah.”

Azhar further remarked, “I feel no sorrow or disappointment. In fact, my heart keeps wishing I had joined this joyful group of fourteen pilgrims.” He added, “Their departure was destined, yet it was not God who killed them.” He also called upon followers to attend the funeral prayers scheduled for the same day.

Masood Azhar, a central figure in multiple terror incidents in India—including the 2001 Parliament attack, the 2008 Mumbai carnage, the 2016 Pathankot assault, and the 2019 Pulwama bombing—was arrested in India in 1994 but was released in 1999 during the hijack crisis of Indian Airlines flight IC-814.

Despite global pressure and intelligence confirmations, Pakistan continues to deny Azhar’s presence within its borders. His acknowledgement of the deaths adds a new layer of confirmation to India’s targeted counter-terror operations across the border.