Operation Sindoor: Airstrikes Kill Kandahar Hijack Mastermind, Other Top Terrorists

New Delhi, 10th May 2025: In a decisive response to the deadly Pahalgam terror attack, India launched a targeted military offensive — Operation Sindoor — eliminating nine high-value terrorist hideouts in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The precision strikes, carried out in the early hours of May 7, resulted in the deaths of several most-wanted terrorists, marking a significant blow to cross-border terror infrastructure.

The Indian government has now officially released the names of the terrorists neutralized in the operation. Among them are some of the most notorious masterminds of past attacks on Indian soil, including individuals linked to the IC-814 Kandahar hijacking and various assaults in Jammu and Kashmir.

The strikes were carried out at around 1:44 a.m. on the 15th day following the Pahalgam massacre, which had left the nation in shock. According to defence sources, the Indian Armed Forces targeted terrorist strongholds in Bahawalpur (Pakistani Punjab), Kotli, and Muzaffarabad (PoK), deliberately avoiding military installations to signal that India’s objective was counter-terrorism, not escalation.

A senior Army official stated, “Our aim was not to target Pakistan’s military assets but to dismantle terrorist infrastructure that directly threatens Indian lives.”

The following high-profile terrorists were confirmed killed in the strikes  on 7th May in Pakistan:

Affiliation: Lashkar-e-Taiba

•In-charge of Markaz Taiba, Muridke.

•Received a guard of honour at his funeral by the Pakistan Army.

•Wreaths were laid on behalf of the Pak Army Chief and Punjab CM (Maryam Nawaz).

•His funeral prayer was held in a government school, led by Hafiz Abdul Rauf of JuD (a designated global terrorist).

•A serving Lt. General of the Pak Army and the IG of Punjab Police attended the prayer ceremony.

Affiliation: Jaish-e-Mohammed

•Eldest brother-in-law of Maulana Masood Azhar.

•In-charge of Markaz Subhan Allah, Bahawalpur.

•Actively involved in radical indoctrination of youth and fundraising for JeM.

Affiliation: Jaish-e-Mohammed

•Brother-in-law of Maulana Masood Azhar.

•Handled weapons training for JeM.

•Involved in multiple terrorist attacks in Jammu & Kashmir.

•Wanted in the IC-814 hijacking case.

Affiliation: Lashkar-e-Taiba

•Involved in multiple terrorist attacks in Jammu & Kashmir.

•Engaged in weapons smuggling from Afghanistan.

•Funeral held in Faisalabad, attended by senior Pakistani Army officials and the Deputy Commissioner of Faisalabad.

Affiliation: Jaish-e-Mohammed

•Son of Mufti Asghar Khan Kashmiri, operational commander of JeM in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

•Played a key role in coordinating terrorist attacks in Jammu & Kashmir.