Yusuf Azhar, also known as Ustad Ji, Mohd Salim, and Ghosi Sahab, had been deeply involved in JeM's activities for decades. His most infamous role was during the 1999 hijacking of Indian Airlines flight IC-814, where he, along with other militants, took over the Kathmandu-Delhi flight and diverted it to Kandahar, Afghanistan. At the time under Taliban rule, Kandahar served as the negotiation base where the hijackers demanded the release of three jailed terrorists, including Masood Azhar. After days of deadlock and the fatal stabbing of a passenger, Rupan Katyal, India agreed to release the terrorists in exchange for the safety of the 170-plus passengers onboard.
Following this incident, Yusuf Azhar continued to hold a high-ranking role in JeM. He was responsible for supervising weapons training, strategic planning, and the execution of terror operations across Jammu and Kashmir. Despite being wanted by India for over two decades, and having a Red Corner Notice issued against him in 2000, he remained out of reach, operating from Pakistani soil with apparent state protection. His name featured in India’s 2002 list of 20 most wanted fugitives handed over to Pakistan, but no action was taken by Islamabad.
According to intelligence reports, Yusuf Azhar was born in Karachi and fluent in Hindi and Urdu. His operational value to JeM, along with his familial ties to Masood Azhar, made him a highly protected and valuable figure within the terror organization. His presence in PoK was recently confirmed through Indian intelligence channels, prompting swift planning for Operation Sindoor. Indian forces executed the operation using advanced aerial surveillance and precision weaponry to strike nine key terror camps, resulting in the deaths of Azhar and four other militants.
This high-profile kill is not only symbolic retribution for the IC-814 hijacking but also a demonstration of India’s no-tolerance approach towards terrorism. For years, Azhar's evasion from justice had highlighted the failures of international enforcement and Pakistan's unwillingness to act against homegrown terror elements. With his elimination, India has dismantled one of JeM’s most strategic commanders, significantly weakening the outfit’s operational hierarchy.
Operation Sindoor reflects a shift in India’s counterterrorism strategy—one that now embraces preemptive, surgical action beyond borders when required. The mission exemplifies how India’s military intelligence and coordination capabilities have evolved, allowing it to target and neutralize threats with high precision. This shift is also a broader message to state actors and terror networks alike that India is prepared to cross traditional boundaries to protect its national security interests.
As the dust settles on this significant operation, questions will likely resurface over Pakistan’s continuing support to terror groups like JeM and the failure of global mechanisms to hold it accountable. While Masood Azhar remains a fugitive believed to be under state protection in Pakistan, the killing of his brother-in-law and close associate is a strong blow to his inner circle and a warning that India’s patience has limits.
With the success of Operation Sindoor, India reiterates its stance on fighting terrorism with clarity and conviction. The mission not only brings a sense of justice to the victims of the IC-814 hijack but also serves as a reminder to all who threaten the sovereignty and peace of the nation: time may pass, but justice will be served.
