The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday claimed that Abdul Rauf Azhar, a designated global terrorist and the brother of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar, was killed during Operation Sindoor, India's ongoing offensive targeting terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
In a social media post, the BJP announced, “Most wanted Pakistani terrorist, Abdul Rauf Azhar killed,” noting his direct involvement in several major terror incidents, including the hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight IC-814 in 1999, the 2001 attack on the Indian Parliament, and the 2016 Pathankot airbase attack.
The party also claimed that along with Abdul Rauf, 14 other members of Masood Azhar's family were eliminated in the operation, which was launched by Indian Armed Forces earlier this week in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 28 civilians.
Despite the claims, no official statement has been released by the Indian Armed Forces or the central government confirming Abdul Rauf Azhar’s death. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri stated, “A lot of information is on social media and we have seen it. Information will be shared in due time.”
Daniel Pearl’s Father Responds
Abdul Rauf Azhar was also linked to the 2002 abduction and murder of Wall Street Journal journalist Daniel Pearl in Pakistan. Pearl’s father reacted to the reports of Azhar’s death, sharing a message of cautious relief.
“I want to thank all of you who reached out to me today in response to the news that India’s military forces have eliminated Abdul Rauf Azhar—a man described as responsible for the kidnapping and murder of my son, Daniel,” he wrote in a statement.
He added that while Jaish-e-Mohammed was not directly responsible for Pearl’s abduction, it was indirectly involved. Abdul Rauf Azhar had orchestrated the hijacking of IC-814, which led to the release of Omar Sheikh—the man who lured Daniel Pearl into captivity. Sheikh was sentenced to death but was later released and held in what Pearl’s father described as a “Government Safe House.”
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Who was Abdul Rauf Azhar?
Abdul Rauf Azhar was one of India’s most wanted terrorists and a key operational commander of Jaish-e-Mohammed. He played a critical role in orchestrating some of the deadliest attacks on Indian soil, including:
- The 1999 hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight IC-814 to Kandahar, which led to the release of three terrorists including Omar Sheikh.
- The December 2001 attack on the Indian Parliament.
- The January 2016 attack on the Indian Air Force base in Pathankot.
The United States sanctioned Abdul Rauf Azhar in December 2010. According to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, he served as JeM’s acting leader in 2007, was one of its most senior commanders in India, and worked as the group’s intelligence coordinator. He was also involved in the planning of suicide attacks in India and played a key role in JeM’s training camps and political activities.
As Operation Sindoor continues, the focus remains on dismantling terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and PoK. The Indian government has yet to provide an official update confirming the claims surrounding Rauf Azhar’s elimination.
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