Ilyas Kashmiri Confirms Operation Sindoor Casualties

In a shocking public confession, Ilyas Kashmiri, a leader of the terrorist group Jaish-e-Mohammed, revealed that the entire family of infamous jihadi Masood Azhar was killed during India’s secret military operation, Operation Sindoor, carried out five months ago in Bahawalpur, Pakistan.

The Airstrike Details

On the night of May 7, the Indian Air Force conducted a precision airstrike targeting Azhar’s family residence, resulting in the deaths of 14 household members. The victims included both the nuclear and extended family of the terrorist, who were reportedly asleep at the time. Security and fire department personnel later confirmed the building was emptied during the strike, indicating the operation occurred at night.

Kashmiri’s Emotional Address

Kashmiri, one of Azhar’s closest aides and head of Jaish-e-Mohammed’s indoctrination division, spoke openly about the operation during a public gathering in Pakistan.

“We must know the sacrifice,” Kashmiri said, recounting that the family was “broken down into little pieces” during the precision targeting of the terrorist infrastructure.

This public acknowledgement comes after months of rumours and unofficial reports regarding the operation’s scale, which no senior Jaish member had previously confirmed.

Context Behind Operation Sindoor

The strike was reportedly launched in response to several terror attacks, including the Pahalgam incident, which caused significant casualties. Indian armed forces targeted terrorist strongholds across Pakistan and PoK, with Bahawalpur being a strategically vital location for militants.

The operation not only dismantled physical infrastructure but also delivered a psychological blow to Jaish-e-Mohammed. Surviving relatives of Azhar are either in hiding or believed to have been killed, leaving the terror network in a weakened state.

Official Silence and Speculation

Pakistani authorities have largely remained silent or downplayed the incident. Kashmiri’s public confession, however, reignites discussions on the effectiveness and scope of India’s anti-terror operations, and raises questions about the future leadership and operational capabilities of Jaish-e-Mohammed, as Masood Azhar has remained underground and largely inactive following the strike.

Implications for India-Pakistan Relations

This revelation marks another turning point in the ongoing clash between India and Pakistan, particularly in the fight against cross-border terrorism. The operation’s success and its psychological impact on Jaish-e-Mohammed could influence geopolitical tensions and the future strategies of both nations in counter-terrorism operations.

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Three Militants Killed in Major Anti-Terror Operation in Jammu & Kashmir

In a significant counter-terrorism operation, the Indian Army killed three militants in Jammu and Kashmir on Monday during Operation Mahadev, including Hashim Musa, a senior Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander believed to be behind the recent Pahalgam and Sonamarg attacks.

Mastermind of Pahalgam and Sonamarg Attacks Neutralized

Officials confirmed that Hashim Musa, a former Pakistani Army soldier, was the chief planner of the Pahalgam assault and the deadly strike near Z-Morh tunnel in Sonamarg, which left seven people dead, including six workers and a doctor. His killing is being hailed as a major blow to Pakistan-backed terror networks operating in the region.

India Rejects ‘Fake Encounter’ Allegations by Pakistani Media

Pakistan’s leading daily ‘Dawn’ has reported claims suggesting that Operation Mahadev was a staged encounter, accusing India of targeting innocent Pakistani citizens. The report also stated that over 700 Pakistani nationals are currently in Indian jails, with some allegedly coerced into making anti-Pakistan statements.

Indian officials have firmly rejected these accusations, asserting that the operation was based on credible intelligence and targeted active militants, not civilians. “Taking out Hashim Musa eliminates a key figure in the cross-border terror pipeline,” a senior Army official stated.Operation Seen as Strategic Win Despite Cross-Border Tensions

Indian security forces are calling Operation Mahadev a strategic success, aimed at neutralizing terror threats in Jammu and Kashmir. Officials believe it will weaken Lashkar-e-Taiba’s ability to plan and carry out attacks on Indian soil.

Conflicting Narratives and Ongoing Investigations

While Pakistan continues to contest the authenticity of the encounter, Indian authorities maintain that operations like Mahadev are essential for the safety and stability of the region. As tensions simmer, more investigations and security operations are expected to follow in the coming weeks.

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Three Militants Eliminated Near Srinagar in Operation Mahadev

In a major breakthrough, Indian security forces gunned down three Pakistani terrorists, including Sulemani Shah, a top Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operative believed to be the mastermind behind the April Pahalgam attack. The encounter took place in the Harwan area near Srinagar on Monday, following a high-intensity operation dubbed Operation Mahadev.

Retaliation for the Pahalgam Massacre

Officials confirmed that Sulemani Shah played a leading role in the brutal April 22 attack in Pahalgam, which killed 26 people, including 25 tourists and a local pony handler. Considered possibly a Pakistani Army commando-turned-terrorist, Shah had evaded capture for months before being tracked down.

Intelligence and Surveillance Led to the Breakthrough

The operation began on July 18, when Indian intelligence agencies intercepted suspicious communication near Dachigam National Park. The chatter, linked to the Pahalgam case, prompted an intensive joint operation involving both ground forces and technological surveillance.

The turning point came around 2 AM on Monday, when agencies detected a signal from an encrypted T82 ultrasat device, revealing the terrorists’ precise location. By 11:30 AM, personnel from 24 Rashtriya Rifles and 4 Para Commandos closed in on the group in the dense Lidwas-Mulnar forests, triggering a fierce gunfight that led to the elimination of all three terrorists.

Weapons and Equipment Recovered from the Site

Post-encounter, forces recovered an M4 carbine, two AK-47 rifles, grenades, ammunition, and other incriminating materials from the militants’ hideout. Authorities have not yet disclosed the identities of the two other slain terrorists.

Local Suspects May Help in Identification

Security agencies may call upon Parvez Ahmad Jothar and Bashir Ahmad Jothar, two locals arrested last month for allegedly sheltering the attackers, to help identify the deceased. An officer noted that the duo’s interrogation had already yielded valuable intelligence, and their input could confirm key details about the operation.

Strategic Win Amid Cross-Border Tensions

This successful strike is being seen as a major security win for Jammu and Kashmir, potentially disrupting LeT’s cross-border terror network. With Indo-Pak tensions still high, the operation sends a strong message about India’s counter-terror capabilities. Investigations are ongoing to determine if more individuals were involved in aiding the terrorists.

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In a significant success for anti-terror operations in Jammu and Kashmir, security forces on Monday neutralised three heavily armed militants in the Harwan area of Srinagar. The encounter, part of the ongoing Operation Mahadev, unfolded near the Lidwas region, close to Dachigam National Park, and is believed to be linked to the January Pahalgam massacre.

Joint Operation Launched in Forested Mulnar Region

Based on specific intelligence inputs about terrorist movement, a joint team of the Indian Army’s Chinar Corps, Jammu & Kashmir Police, and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) launched a coordinated operation in the dense forest zone of Mulnar. As the troops advanced to cordon off the area, they came under sudden fire from hiding militants, sparking a fierce gunfight.

Three Terrorists Neutralised; Drones Used for Confirmation

In the intense exchange of fire, the forces swiftly responded and gunned down three terrorists. Drone surveillance was used to confirm the neutralisation. Officials noted that the operation is still underway, with credible suspicions of additional terrorists hiding in the area.

Links to Pahalgam Massacre Suspected

Initial investigations suggest that the eliminated terrorists may include individuals involved in the April 22 Pahalgam massacre, in which 26 unarmed civilians were killed in cold blood. The Resistance Front (TRF), a Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba proxy group, had claimed responsibility for the attack.

Sketches released after the Pahalgam killings had identified key suspects, including Asif Fauji, Suleman Shah, and Abu Talha. Unverified sources from the ground now suggest that one of the slain militants may be Suleman Shah. Others are suspected to be known by pseudonyms such as Harris and Abu Hamza.

No Security Force Casualties; Two Militants May Have Escaped

Security forces reported no casualties among their ranks during the operation. However, two terrorists are believed to have sustained injuries and possibly escaped during the chaos, prompting an ongoing combing operation.

Operation Mahadev Amid Indo-Pak Tensions

The encounter comes in the wake of rising Indo-Pak tensions following the Pahalgam massacre. The brutal attack had triggered India’s retaliatory military action under Operation Sindoor on May 7, involving targeted missile strikes on nine terrorist camps across the border. That brief escalation ended with a ceasefire on May 10.

Nationwide Focus on Counterterrorism Intensifies

The elimination of high-value targets in Harwan marks a crucial development in India’s larger strategy to dismantle terror infrastructure operating from across the border. Officials suggest this operation could deliver a serious blow to groups responsible for civilian massacres in the Kashmir Valley.

The identities of the slain militants are being verified through forensic and intelligence channels, while the search continues for other operatives possibly in hiding.

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