India’s Operation Sindoor Targets Terror Infrastructure; Masood Azhar's Family Among Those Killed

 New Delhi, May 7 — In the aftermath of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 civilian lives, including those of recently married honeymooners, India has conducted precision strikes on terror infrastructure across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) under Operation Sindoor. The military offensive, which targeted nine high-value locations, is being described by officials as a calibrated and intelligence-driven response aimed at dismantling cross-border terrorism while avoiding escalation.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said the Indian government had no choice but to act after Pakistan failed to take any credible action against terror groups operating from its soil following the Pahalgam massacre. He confirmed that Indian forces struck four terror bases in Pakistan’s Punjab province and five in PoK, all reportedly affiliated with the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror outfits.

One of the most significant strikes was on the Subhan Allah complex in Bahawalpur, a known stronghold of JeM chief Masood Azhar. In a rare public admission, Azhar released a statement acknowledging the deaths of 10 of his family members in the strike. Pakistani media reported the death toll at 14, and funeral preparations are underway in Bahawalpur. The Indian government has confirmed that the Subhan Allah compound was functioning as a terror command centre and that no Pakistani military or civilian infrastructure was targeted in the strike.

Additionally, Qari Mohammad Iqbal, a senior Lashkar religious ideologue, was confirmed killed in a strike on a terror camp in Kotli, PoK.

Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, speaking at a press briefing alongside Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Foreign Secretary Misri, emphasized that the operation was based on "credible and verifiable intelligence," specifically targeting terror infrastructure responsible for past and planned attacks on Indian soil.

“No Pakistani military sites were targeted, and there are no reports of civilian casualties. The Indian armed forces remain prepared to respond decisively to any misadventure that may escalate the situation,” she stated.

Pakistan, while initially condemning the operation as a violation of sovereignty and terming it an "act of war," has since taken a more conciliatory tone. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said on local media that Islamabad was “prepared to de-escalate” if India ceases further military action.

“This was initiated by India. If they back down, we will too. We are not seeking confrontation, but we will respond if provoked,” he said.

Amid speculation over the fate of Masood Azhar himself, Indian intelligence sources have confirmed that Azhar had recently resurfaced at the Bahawalpur complex after months in hiding. Satellite and human intelligence indicated he had resumed command over JeM operations from within the compound.

Although official confirmation is pending, senior defence sources told News18 Hindi that preliminary intelligence suggests Azhar may have been present in the compound during the Indian airstrikes.

“We are actively verifying ground-level reports. Initial indications suggest Azhar could have been inside the facility at the time of the strike,” a senior official said on condition of anonymity.

The possibility of Azhar’s death—if verified—would mark a significant milestone in India's ongoing counterterrorism efforts and could have substantial geopolitical implications in the region.