"Embraced Terrorism To Protect...": Jaish Member Sinks Pak On Terror Links
A religious event in Pakistan's Balakot tehsil last week - ostensibly focusing on the life and teachings of Prophet Mohammed - has been red-flagged for anti-India and pro-jihad sentiments and slogans.
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Jaish chief Masood Azhar (File).
New Delhi:
Intelligence sources have raised concerns about a religious gathering held last week in Pakistan's Balakot tehsil, where anti-India and pro-jihad rhetoric was reportedly expressed.
The 38th annual 'Mission Mustafa' conference, according to NDTV's intelligence sources, commenced at 10 am and attracted thousands of attendees from Gadi Habibullah town and surrounding regions. Various Islamic scholars representing different schools of thought addressed the gathering, primarily focusing on 'Khatm-e-nubuwat' - the concept of Prophet Mohammed's finality.
What particularly caught attention was a video featuring Masood Ilyas Kashmiri, a high-ranking Jaish-e-Mohammed operative. This terrorist organization stands accused of multiple attacks against India, including the 2016 strikes on an Indian Air Force base in Pathankot and an Army installation in Uri, Kashmir.
In his inflammatory address, Kashmiri portrayed Jaish founder Masood Azhar as "a global symbol of resistance... discussed by world powers from Washington to Moscow." Intelligence sources report that Kashmiri defended Azhar against terrorist designations and made statements that Delhi views as further confirmation of Pakistan's involvement in cross-border terrorism - an issue reignited following the Pahalgam attack.
VIDEO | 'Masood Azhar's Family Torn Apart': Jaish Leader Exposes Pakistan
"Embracing terrorism, we fought Delhi, Kabul, and Kandahar to protect the borders of this country (Pakistan). After sacrificing everything, on May 7, Maulana Masood Azhar's family was torn apart by Indian forces in Bahawalpur," Kashmiri declared in Urdu, flanked by armed guards.
🚨 #Exclusive 🇵🇰👺Jaish-e-Mohamad top commander Masood ilyas kashmiri admits that On 7th May his leader Masood Azhar's family was torn into pieces in Bahawalpur attack by Indian forces.Look at the number of gun-wielding security personnel in the background. According to ISPR… pic.twitter.com/OLls70lpFy
— OsintTV 📺 (@OsintTV) September 16, 2025
Kashmiri was referring to casualties among Azhar's family members during Operation Sindoor - India's military response to the Pahalgam attack. In this operation, Indian forces targeted nine terrorist facilities across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, including Jaish headquarters in Bahawalpur.
NIA and Intelligence Bureau sources confirmed to NDTV that the video shows Masood Ilyas Kashmiri, a Jaish commander from Rawlakote in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. He has been implicated in numerous terror attacks on Indian territory, with the NIA filing charges against him for the 2018 Sunjwan Military Station attack. Despite maintaining a largely secretive existence, he reportedly trains Jaish operatives in PoK.
A statement attributed to Azhar claimed that ten family members perished in the operation.
READ | 'No Regret...': 10 Of Masood Azhar's Family Killed In Op Sindoor
While India has expressed regret for civilian casualties, officials maintained that efforts were made to minimize such losses, emphasizing that all targets were thoroughly vetted and confirmed to have direct links to terrorist activities.
Intelligence sources added that Kashmiri condemned the disavowal of terrorists (referred to as 'mujahideen') and advocated for expanding jihad, even suggesting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a target.
Who Is Masood Azhar?Masood Azhar ranks among India's most-wanted terrorists, with connections to the 2001 Parliament attack and the devastating 26/11 Mumbai attacks.
READ | 'The Dirty 7': Terrorists Wanted By India, World, But Protected By Pak
Designated a global terrorist by the United Nations in 2019, Azhar was previously in Indian custody until his release during the 1999 Kandahar hijacking crisis in exchange for IC-814 passengers.
RECAP | 'Pak Doesn't Know Where Masood Azhar Is...': Bilawal Bhutto's Stunner
Since then, he has reportedly found refuge in Pakistan. India has repeatedly called for Pakistan to surrender both him and Hafiz Saeed, leader of the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba group. Pakistani authorities claim ignorance of his whereabouts; Pakistani politician Bilawal Bhutto suggested in a July Al Jazeera interview that Azhar might be in Afghanistan.
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