Operation Sindoor: IC-814 hijack accused Yusuf Azhar among 5 terrorists killed
Mohammad Yusuf Azhar was named among the 5 terrorists killed in the Indian strikes. He is the brother-in-law of JeM chief Maulana Masood Azhar
India’s 'Operation Sindoor' attacks on nine terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) on May 7 have eliminated five hardcore terrorists, including those involved in the hijacking of Indian Airlines plane IC-814 in 1999.
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All the terrorists killed in the Indian strikes belonged to the banned outfits – Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), reports said on Saturday (May 10), citing official sources.
Among the five terrorists who were eliminated was Mohammad Yusuf Azhar, the brother-in-law of JeM chief Maulana Masood Azhar, reports said.
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The other four terrorists killed were Mudassar Khadian Khas alias Mudassar alias Abu Jundal of LeT, Hafiz Muhammed Jameel, the elder brother of Masood Azhar, Khalid alias Abu Akasha of LeT, and Mohammad Hassan Khan of JeM.
Who was Mohammad Yusuf Azhar?
Yusuf Azhar, a key member of the proscribed terrorist JeM, was responsible for handling weapons training for JeM operatives and was involved in multiple terrorist attacks in Jammu and Kashmir. He has had aliases of Ustad Ji, Mohd Salim and Ghosi Sahab.
He was also actively involved in the conspiracy to hijack the Indian Airlines aircraft IC-814 from Kathmandu
Even a Red Corner notice was issued against him by Interpol, seeking his arrest and detention.
Strikes on Bahawalpur
In the airstrikes conducted under 'Operation Sindoor', Bahawalpur was an integral target, which led to the death of Yusuf Azhar.
Bahawalpur is home to the Markaz Subhan Allah, a key JeM facility that has been active since 2015.
Serving as the group's primary hub for training, indoctrination, and operations, it also functions as JeM's operational headquarters.
The centre has been linked to multiple terror plots, including the February 14, 2019, Pulwama attack. It houses the residences of JeM founder Maulana Masood Azhar, de facto leader Mufti Abdul Rauf Asghar, Maulana Ammar, and other members of Azhar’s family.