Masood Azhar, the founder of the Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), has once again drawn international attention following revelations linking his organisation to the recent blast near Delhi’s Red Fort.
Masood Azhar, the UN-designated terrorist and founder of the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), has once again come under the scanner after the Delhi blast near Red Fort was linked to his expanding terror network. From the 2001 Parliament assault to the 2019 Pulwama suicide bombing, Azhar has allegedly masterminded some of India’s deadliest attacks.
Founder of Jaish-e-Mohammed
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Masood Azhar, 56, founded the Jaish-e-Mohammed in 1999 after being released by India in exchange for hostages during the Indian Airlines IC-814 hijacking. The plane had been hijacked from Kathmandu and diverted to Kandahar, Afghanistan.
Within a year of his release, Azhar established JeM’s headquarters in Bahawalpur, Pakistan, with alleged backing from the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). The outfit quickly became one of South Asia’s most active terror organisations.
Mastermind Behind Major Attacks in India
Under Azhar’s command, Jaish-e-Mohammed carried out several high-profile terror operations in India. These include:
- The 2001 Parliament attack in New Delhi, which brought India and Pakistan to the brink of war.
- The 2008 Mumbai attacks, which involved coordination with Lashkar-e-Taiba.
- The 2016 Pathankot airbase attack, targeting Indian military installations.
- The 2019 Pulwama suicide bombing, which killed 40 CRPF personnel and triggered the Balakot airstrikes by India.
Despite international pressure, Azhar has continued to evade capture and has repeatedly vowed to target Indian security forces.
The Delhi Blast Link
The November 10, 2025, blast near Delhi’s Red Fort, which killed nine people, has once again pointed to Jaish-e-Mohammed’s involvement. Investigators traced the network to JeM’s new women’s wing, Jamaat-ul-Mominat, which is allegedly being used to radicalise and recruit women under the guise of religious education.
Among the key figures in this network is Dr Shaheen Saeed, a Lucknow resident arrested with an assault rifle and ammunition hours before the blast. Authorities say she was tasked with setting up a local unit of Jamaat-ul-Mominat in India.
Women’s Wing and Radicalisation Drive
Jaish recently launched its women’s brigade, Jamaat-ul-Mominat, to strengthen its base through online indoctrination and fund collection. The wing is led by Sadia Azhar, Masood Azhar’s sister, and Afira Bibi, the widow of Pulwama conspirator Umar Farooq.
The group launched an online course titled Tufat al-Mominat to “educate” women on jihadist ideology, with lectures conducted by members of Azhar’s family. Recruits were charged a small fee and encouraged to spread propaganda and raise funds through encrypted social media channels.
Operation Sindoor and Jaish Losses
In May 2025, India launched Operation Sindoor, a targeted strike on multiple Jaish-e-Mohammed camps in Pakistan’s Bahawalpur region. At least nine camps were hit, including one inside the Jamia Masjid Subhan Allah.
The strike killed ten members of Azhar’s extended family, including his elder sister, her husband, and several children. Azhar himself reportedly survived and later claimed he had “no regrets” about the deaths.
Pakistan’s Denial and International Status
Masood Azhar remains a UN-designated global terrorist, yet Pakistan continues to deny his presence on its soil. Intelligence agencies and independent reports have repeatedly suggested that he operates freely under state protection in Bahawalpur.
His group, Jaish-e-Mohammed, has been banned in Pakistan on paper but remains active under various aliases and religious fronts.
Enduring Threat to India
Despite repeated military and diplomatic efforts to dismantle his network, Masood Azhar continues to pose a serious security challenge to India. His decentralised network, cross-border funding, and renewed recruitment through women’s cells show JeM’s intent to adapt and survive.
The Delhi blast investigation underscores that, even after two decades of counter-terror operations, the Jaish chief’s influence in South Asia’s terror landscape remains deeply entrenched.
Published: 12 Nov 2025, 06:08 pm IST
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