JeM’s Headquarters Destroyed in Operation Sindoor

Terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), known for its involvement in high-profile attacks like the 2001 Indian Parliament attack and the 2019 Pulwama bombing, faced a significant blow when its headquarters in Bahawalpur, Pakistan, was destroyed during Operation Sindoor. This operation, conducted in May, involved precision airstrikes that targeted JeM’s operational base, causing extensive damage.

Fundraising Campaign for Reconstruction

Nearly three months after the airstrikes, JeM, led by Maulana Masood Azhar, has initiated a fundraising campaign to rebuild its headquarters. The campaign aims to restore the Jamia Masjid Subhan Allah complex, which served as both the operational hub and a training facility for the group. The fundraising efforts are being conducted discreetly through social media posts in Urdu, urging supporters to contribute to the cause.

Bahawalpur: A Strategic Location

Bahawalpur, located approximately 100 km inside Pakistan’s southern Punjab province, has long been a strategic center for JeM. The city housed the group’s ideological and operational activities, making it a prime target during Operation Sindoor. Satellite images confirmed the extensive damage inflicted on the structures during the strikes.

Casualties and International Implications

The operation reportedly resulted in the deaths of 10 family members of Azhar and four aides. Among those killed were Azhar’s elder sister, her husband, a nephew and his wife, a niece, and five children from his extended family. Azhar himself is listed as an international terrorist by the UN Security Council and is wanted in India for multiple attacks.

India’s Retaliatory Strikes

The Indian government launched Operation Sindoor as retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives. During the operation, India fired 24 precision missiles at nine locations across Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir. The strikes reportedly killed over 70 terrorists and wounded more than 60 others.