In the purported recording, Azhar is heard asserting that JeM’s strength extends far beyond a few hundred fighters. He claims that if the actual number of operatives were revealed, it would “cause an uproar.” He further alleges that members of the organisation are not motivated by money, visas or personal benefits, but by the pursuit of what he describes as martyrdom. Indian security agencies are monitoring the clip, though no official confirmation has been issued regarding its origin.
Masood Azhar is one of India’s most wanted terrorists and the founder of Jaish-e-Mohammed, which has been responsible for multiple deadly attacks over the past two decades. He was the chief conspirator behind the 2001 attack on the Indian Parliament, an incident that brought India and Pakistan to the brink of war. Investigations by Indian agencies have also linked him to the 2016 Pathankot airbase attack, the 2016 Uri Army camp attack, and the 2019 Pulwama suicide bombing that killed 40 CRPF personnel.
Azhar’s association with terrorism dates back to the early 1990s. He entered India in 1994 using forged documents and was arrested in Jammu and Kashmir for terror-related activities. In 1999, he was released by India following the hijacking of an Indian Airlines flight to Kandahar, after terrorists demanded his freedom in exchange for passengers. After his release, Azhar returned to Pakistan and formally established JeM, which has since operated with impunity despite international pressure.
In recent years, Azhar has faced personal losses as well. During India’s Operation Sindoor in May, launched after the Pahalgam terror attack, an Indian strike in Bahawalpur reportedly killed 10 members of his family along with several associates. Azhar later issued a statement expressing regret that he was not present at the site during the strike.
Security experts view the viral audio, if authentic, as an attempt to project strength and inspire cadres amid sustained pressure on terror networks. Officials note that such statements underline the continuing threat posed by Pakistan-based terror groups and the need for sustained counter-terror and diplomatic efforts at the international level.
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