Bahawalpur, Pakistan – Masood Azhar, the leader of Pakistan-based militant group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), has claimed that 10 of his family members were killed in a missile strike carried out by India on Tuesday night. The strike reportedly hit a mosque in Bahawalpur, located about 100km inside Pakistan, which India says served as JeM’s operational base.
Among the dead, according to Azhar, were his older sister, her husband, his nephew and his wife, his niece, and five children. The Indian government stated that its military targeted “sites from where terrorist attacks against India have been planned and directed,” in response to a deadly militant attack in Indian-administered Kashmir two weeks ago that killed 25 Indians and one Nepali.
Indian authorities claim that two of the attackers were Pakistani nationals and have accused Pakistan of supporting the militants. Islamabad has strongly denied these accusations, calling the Indian air strikes “a heinous act of aggression.”
Pakistan confirmed six locations were hit in Tuesday’s strikes but denied they were connected to terrorism. Meanwhile, video footage of the damaged mosque in Bahawalpur, verified by BBC, showed extensive destruction including collapsed domes, roof damage, and holes in the floor, suggesting a direct strike.
Funeral processions were held in Bahawalpur on Wednesday for the victims. Local residents expressed both grief and fear over the unfolding situation and uncertainty over how Pakistan might respond.
Jaish-e-Mohammed, founded by Masood Azhar in 1999 after his release from an Indian prison, has previously been linked to the Taliban and al-Qaeda. The UN designated Azhar as a global terrorist in 2019. JeM has claimed responsibility for multiple attacks in India, including the 2019 Pulwama bombing that killed 40 Indian paramilitary personnel.
Tuesday’s events have sharply escalated tensions between India and Pakistan, both nuclear-armed nations, prompting urgent calls from the global community to avoid further escalation.
“The world cannot afford a military confrontation between India and Pakistan,” said a spokesperson for UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
World leaders including the UK, US, China, France, and Iran have urged both countries to show restraint and pursue diplomatic solutions.
For more breaking news and global conflict updates, visit BlogHear.com
