Operation Sindoor led to the elimination of Abdul Rauf Azhar, the mastermind behind the IC-814 hijacking. Learn how India executed precision strikes on terror hubs in Pakistan and PoK, marking a major victory in counterterrorism.

What Was Operation Sindoor?

Operation Sindoor was a strategic Indian military initiative targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK). Conducted in response to the Pahalgam attack that killed 26 Indian civilians, the operation involved precision airstrikes on nine key terror locations. One of the most significant targets was the Jaish-e-Mohammed headquarters in Bahawalpur.

Who Was Abdul Rauf Azhar?

Abdul Rauf Azhar (1977 – 7 May 2025) was a senior leader of Jaish-e-Mohammed and the younger brother of Masood Azhar. He was one of India’s most wanted terrorists and a key figure in numerous attacks, most notably the 1999 hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight IC-814.

Azhar assumed leadership of JeM in 2007 and played pivotal roles in:

• The 2001 Indian Parliament attack

• The 2016 Pathankot attack

• Links to the 2008 Mumbai attacks and 2019 Pulwama attack

The 1999 Kandahar Hijacking: A Defining Moment

In December 1999, Flight IC-814 carrying 190 passengers from Kathmandu to Delhi was hijacked and rerouted to Kandahar. The hijacking, orchestrated by Abdul Rauf Azhar, resulted in a seven-day hostage crisis. To ensure the passengers’ safety, the Indian government agreed to release three jailed terrorists—Masood Azhar, Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh, and Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar.

This incident led to the founding of Jaish-e-Mohammed in 2000, which went on to orchestrate numerous deadly attacks.

Airstrikes on JeM Strongholds

According to a statement allegedly from Masood Azhar, Indian airstrikes targeted the JeM base at Jamia Masjid Subhan Allah, killing ten of Azhar’s family members and four of his aides. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) shared an image of Abdul Rauf Azhar on X (formerly Twitter), labeled “eliminated,” confirming his death during Operation Sindoor.

Legacy of Violence: Jaish-e-Mohammed’s History

After his release in 1999, Masood Azhar and his associates established Jaish-e-Mohammed, which became synonymous with high-profile terror attacks, including:

• The 2001 Indian Parliament attack

• The 2002 Daniel Pearl kidnapping and murder

• The 2008 Mumbai attacks

• The 2016 Pathankot airbase attack

• The 2019 Pulwama suicide bombing

Abdul Rauf Azhar was a central figure in many of these attacks and remained a top threat to Indian national security.

Conclusion: A Strategic Blow to Terror Networks

The success of Operation Sindoor represents a major milestone in India’s ongoing counterterrorism efforts. The elimination of Abdul Rauf Azhar—mastermind of the IC-814 hijacking and key player in multiple terror strikes—deals a serious blow to the operational leadership of Jaish-e-Mohammed. This mission underscores India’s resolve to dismantle cross-border terror networks and protect national sovereignty through precise and decisive military action.