Terrorism has long been a shadow over South Asia, with Pakistan-based groups often at the centre of deadly attacks in India. One such group, Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), has been a constant threat. But in 2025, India launched a bold military response that is still shaking the terror network today.
A new viral video now shows a top JeM commander openly admitting what Pakistan has always denied – that India’s Operation Sindoor struck deep into JeM’s heart, killing members of Masood Azhar’s family and close aides. This confession has not only embarrassed Pakistan but also exposed its double game of sheltering terrorists while pretending innocence.
The Spark: Pahalgam Attack
On 22 April 2025, terrorists opened fire in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, killing 26 people, including tourists from India and Nepal. The brutal attack shocked the country and immediately pointed fingers at JeM, which has carried out many such operations in the past.
India vowed to respond. Just two weeks later, on 7 May 2025, the Indian armed forces launched Operation Sindoor – a joint mission by the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The aim was clear: destroy terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) without escalating into full-scale war.
Inside Operation Sindoor
The strikes targeted nine major terror camps linked to JeM, Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), and Hizbul Mujahideen. The most important target was Bahawalpur in Pakistan’s Punjab province, home to JeM’s headquarters – a massive 15-acre complex called Markaz Subhan Allah.
- Over 70 terrorists were killed in the strikes.
- Satellite images later confirmed massive damage at the sites.
- India avoided Pakistani military bases, calling the action “measured and focused.”
The mission carried a symbolic name: Sindoor, the red powder used by married women in India, chosen as a tribute to families torn apart by the Pahalgam killings.
Masood Azhar – The Man in the Shadows
JeM’s founder, Masood Azhar, has been a global terrorist since 2019. Released by India in 1999 during the hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight 814, he went on to mastermind some of India’s darkest days:
- 2001 Parliament attack
- 2008 Mumbai siege
- 2016 Pathankot attack
- 2019 Pulwama bombing
From his Bahawalpur base, Azhar built JeM into a family-run terror machine. His brothers-in-law and relatives were deeply involved in operations, training, and recruitment. For years, Pakistan claimed ignorance about his whereabouts, even as he openly addressed gatherings.
The Loss That Hit Home
During Operation Sindoor, Azhar’s own family was caught in the crossfire. A later statement from him admitted that:
- His elder sister and her husband
- A nephew and his wife
- Another niece
- Five young children
- Four close aides (including one with his mother)
…all died in the Bahawalpur strike.
Azhar himself lamented, “It would’ve been better if I had died too.” For India, this was proof that terrorists were using family homes inside terror camps, blurring the line between civilian and militant losses.
Viral Video Confession
On 16 September 2025, a video surfaced online of Masood Ilyas Kashmiri, a senior JeM commander, speaking at a rally. Surrounded by gunmen, he admitted:
“After sacrificing everything, on May 7 in Bahawalpur, Maulana Masood Azhar’s family was torn into pieces by Indian forces.”
This was no propaganda – it was a blunt admission that the strikes had indeed destroyed JeM’s top base and family circle. The video went viral on X (formerly Twitter), widely shared by Indian media and analysts.
For Pakistan, which had insisted the strikes caused “no damage” and only hit empty land, the confession was a huge embarrassment.
Pakistan’s Double Game Exposed
For decades, Pakistan has denied hosting terror groups, even while international agencies like FATF (Financial Action Task Force) questioned its role. After Operation Sindoor, Pakistan claimed civilians were killed, but their own state funerals for Azhar’s family exposed the truth.
Now, with JeM commanders confirming the losses, the mask has slipped. Pakistan’s “see no evil” approach to Azhar and his group looks even weaker on the global stage.
What Next for JeM?
Reports suggest JeM is trying to rebuild by raising money – nearly £3.9 billion – through digital wallets linked to Azhar’s relatives. They reportedly plan to set up hundreds of mosques that double as recruitment centres. But Indian intelligence is keeping a close watch.
Conclusion: A Blow Against Terror, But Not the End
Operation Sindoor showed India’s resolve: it struck hard, deep, and precise without dragging the region into war. The death of Azhar’s relatives, confirmed by JeM itself, has dealt a psychological and operational blow to the group.
Yet, terrorism rarely ends with one operation. JeM and others may regroup, but the world has now seen undeniable evidence of Pakistan’s sheltering of terrorists. For India, Operation Sindoor stands as both a message of strength and a reminder that the fight against terror continues.