The headquarters of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) in Bahawalpur has reportedly been extensively rebuilt, around 15 months after it was severely damaged in India’s Operation Sindoor in May 2025. Recent visuals accessed by NDTV show the Markaz Subhanallah complex with repaired structures, fresh plaster and paint, and newly restored sections of the facility.

The development has raised fresh concerns in India over the continued presence and revival of infrastructure linked to JeM, which is designated as a terrorist organisation by the United Nations and the United States. The Bahawalpur facility has long been associated with the group and its organisational activities. 

Bahawalpur Complex Rebuilt

According to the NDTV report, the Markaz Subhanallah complex had suffered significant damage during the Indian strikes, including impact damage to parts of its central hall. The latest visuals indicate that the damaged portions have since been repaired, with craters filled, structural sections restored and marble flooring installed. 

India Today, which also reported on the reconstruction, said the damaged domes have been rebuilt and the facility has undergone extensive refurbishment. Satellite imagery reviewed earlier this year had already shown construction equipment and repair activity at the site.

Alleged Funding for Reconstruction

Intelligence inputs cited in the NDTV report claim that the Pakistani establishment provided PKR 25 crore to JeM in cash instalments for reconstruction of the facility. Around PKR 11 crore was reportedly spent on restoring the central hall.

The funding claim is based on intelligence inputs cited by the report and has not been independently established through publicly available financial records. The alleged state involvement has nevertheless added to questions surrounding Pakistan's approach towards infrastructure associated with banned militant organisations. 

Other Structures Also Rebuilt

The reconstruction reportedly extends beyond the main Markaz Subhanallah building. Structures damaged during Operation Sindoor, including the Madrasa Al-Sabir and residential facilities associated with JeM commanders, have reportedly been cleared or demolished, with fresh construction subsequently taking place at the site. 

Earlier satellite imagery had similarly indicated debris removal and construction activity at the compound, suggesting that restoration work had continued for several months following the initial damage. 

JeM Base Had Strategic Significance

The Bahawalpur complex, located in Pakistan's Punjab province, has long been identified with JeM. India Today reported that the facility covers around 18 acres and has been associated with recruitment, training and ideological activities of the group. 

The group has been linked to several attacks in India, including the 2001 Parliament attack, the 2016 Pathankot attack and the 2019 Pulwama suicide bombing. JeM chief Masood Azhar and other senior figures have remained associated with Pakistan despite the organisation being banned there.

Reconstruction After Operation Sindoor

Operation Sindoor was launched by India on May 7, 2025, following the April 22, 2025, terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, in which 26 people were killed. Indian forces targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir during the operation. 

The Bahawalpur complex was among the facilities targeted during the operation. JeM had subsequently acknowledged casualties at the site, including relatives of Masood Azhar. 

The reported reconstruction now indicates that the physical damage inflicted on the complex has largely been repaired. For India, the development is likely to reinforce longstanding concerns about the survival of terror-linked networks and infrastructure in Pakistan.

The latest reports, however, primarily establish the extent of reconstruction and cite intelligence claims regarding its financing; they do not independently establish the Pakistani government's direct role in the rebuilding.

The West Bengal Special Task Force (STF) has alleged that a suspected Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) operative arrested in East Bardhaman district was part of a larger conspiracy to infiltrate and disrupt a student protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.

According to STF officials, Hameem Mandal was acting on instructions from handlers based in Pakistan and had allegedly planned to enter the protest disguised as a police officer to create unrest. The allegations are part of the agency's ongoing investigation and have not yet been tested in court.

STF Claims Pakistan-Based Handlers Directed Operation

Addressing a press briefing, STF Inspector General Gaurav Sharma said investigators believe Mandal was assigned multiple tasks by Pakistan-based operatives.

Besides the alleged plan to infiltrate the protest, the STF claimed Mandal had also been instructed to monitor the movements of West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and gather information related to his security arrangements.

Mandal was arrested earlier this week in East Bardhaman and has been remanded to 14 days of STF custody for further interrogation.

Girlfriend Arrested From Jharkhand

The STF has also arrested Arpita Sarkar from Sahibganj, Jharkhand, alleging that she was involved in the conspiracy.

A court has remanded her to 13 days of police custody.

Investigators claim both accused were working under the directions of a Pakistan-linked network allegedly associated with gangster Shahzad Bhatti.

Honey-Trap and Extortion Plot Under Investigation

According to the STF, Mandal and Sarkar allegedly conspired to honey-trap the son of a West Bengal state minister.

Officials claim the plan involved developing a personal relationship with the minister's son, kidnapping him and demanding ransom from the family.

The agency said it is investigating the individual roles of both accused and examining whether additional people were involved in the alleged conspiracy.

Radicalisation Through Social Media

Investigators allege Mandal became radicalised through social media before establishing contact with Pakistan-based operatives.

The STF said international SIM cards linked to the United Kingdom and Mexico were recovered during the investigation and suspects they were used for encrypted communication with handlers and sleeper cells.

According to investigators, Mandal and Sarkar first connected through Instagram around four years ago before meeting in person. The agency claims they were instructed to cultivate relationships with influential individuals to gather sensitive information.

Investigation Began After Minister's Complaint

The STF said the probe began following information about an alleged conspiracy to extort money from a state minister and kidnap his son using a honey-trap.

During the investigation, officers reportedly tracked a social media account operated by Arpita Sarkar, which eventually led them to Mandal.

Officials say the investigation remains ongoing, with efforts focused on identifying possible links to a wider network and verifying the extent of the alleged terror module's activities.

The allegations made by the STF are currently under investigation, and the accused have not been convicted of the offences alleged.

The Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has arrested five more persons in connection with an alleged terror module linked to the Pakistan-based banned terrorist organisation Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), taking the total number of arrests in the case to 13.

The latest arrests were made from Khadiyal village in Siddhpur taluka of Patan district. The accused have been identified as Bilal Abidbhai Shera, Mohammad Ayub Kadiwala alias Mohammed Khadiyasan, Mohammad Palanpuri alias Khali Ayub Sunsara, Shafia Rais Mukhti alias Shafi Chapi and Mohammad Hasan Kardia alias Hasan Haidarpuri.

Five Accused Sent to ATS Custody

The five accused were produced before Judicial Magistrate R.M. Bhatia in Kadi, Mehsana district. The court remanded them to Gujarat ATS custody until July 24 to facilitate further investigation.

The arrests come days after coordinated raids conducted by the ATS across Gujarat and neighbouring Madhya Pradesh, during which eight suspects were taken into custody.

Investigation into Alleged Terror Network

According to ATS officials, the investigation suggests the accused were allegedly part of a wider network linked to the banned terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed. Investigators are examining allegations of radicalisation, recruitment and logistical support activities.

Officials claim the accused were allegedly in contact with handlers based in Pakistan through encrypted messaging applications and social media platforms. These allegations are part of the ongoing investigation and have not yet been tested in court.

Electronic Devices Seized

During the searches, the ATS seized mobile phones, laptops and other electronic devices from the accused. The devices have been sent for forensic examination to recover communication records and digital evidence.

Investigators are also analysing financial transactions, bank accounts and online activities to determine whether the alleged network received foreign funding or maintained links with operatives in other states.

Further Investigation Underway

The ATS has not disclosed whether the alleged module had identified any specific targets, stating that the investigation is at a sensitive stage.

Officials said further arrests and searches cannot be ruled out as forensic analysis and interrogation of the accused continue. The investigation is being carried out in coordination with central and state security agencies to determine the full extent of the alleged network.

The accused remain under investigation, and the allegations against them will be subject to judicial proceedings.: 

Security agencies crack down on alleged terror network operating across Gujarat and MP; investigation into funding and recruitment continues

In a major anti-terror operation ahead of the annual Rath Yatra, the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has arrested eight suspected operatives allegedly linked to the banned terrorist organisation Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). The coordinated operation was carried out across Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh following intelligence inputs indicating efforts to expand the outfit's network in western India.

According to officials, the arrests were made during simultaneous raids conducted at multiple locations. Investigators believe the accused were actively working to strengthen the organisation's presence by recruiting individuals, circulating extremist material and maintaining contact with handlers linked to the terror outfit.

Among those arrested is Bilal Durrani, who was apprehended from Dewas district in Madhya Pradesh. Police sources said he had allegedly been living in the city's Warsi Nagar area for a considerable period without attracting attention from local authorities.

The remaining accused include Ahmed Abdullah Ghaziwala, Ibrahim Mohammad Hussain Ghagha, Mudassir Abdullah Ghaziwala, Zakariya Durrani, Mufti Fauzan, Mohammad Amin Shera and Mohammad Abdul Rehman Savdi, most of whom belong to Gujarat.

Officials said two of the accused are teenagers aged 18 and 19, while others are between their early twenties and forties. Initial investigations suggest that the suspects were allegedly operating under instructions from Jaish-e-Mohammed handlers and attempting to establish a stronger organisational base in Gujarat.

Digital evidence and alleged funding trail recovered

The ATS has reportedly recovered mobile phones containing alleged extremist literature, videos, audio recordings and handwritten notes. Investigators are examining the digital devices to determine the extent of the alleged network and identify additional contacts.

Officials also suspect the accused received financial support for their activities. Preliminary findings indicate that around ₹3 lakh may have been transferred through suspected terror-funding channels. Authorities are tracing the origin of these transactions to identify possible financiers and foreign connections.

Investigators are also scrutinising communication records, encrypted messaging applications and social media activity as part of the ongoing probe.

Operation launched ahead of Rath Yatra

The arrests assume significance as they were made just days before Gujarat's annual Rath Yatra, one of the state's largest religious processions that attracts thousands of devotees and involves extensive security arrangements every year.

Security agencies routinely intensify surveillance ahead of major public events, and officials said the operation was part of preventive measures aimed at neutralising potential security threats.

Charges under UAPA and BNS

The ATS has registered a case against all eight accused under multiple provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA), including Sections 13, 17, 18, 38 and 39, which relate to unlawful activities, terror funding, conspiracy and support to terrorist organisations.

Additional charges have also been invoked under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.

All the accused remain in ATS custody and are being questioned to determine the full extent of the alleged network, recruitment activities, financial transactions and any possible links with handlers operating outside India.

Officials said further arrests cannot be ruled out as the investigation progresses.

In a major counter-terrorism operation conducted just 13 days before the annual Rath Yatra, the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) arrested eight suspected operatives allegedly linked to the banned terrorist outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). The arrests were made during coordinated raids across Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh following specific intelligence inputs, officials said.

According to the ATS, the suspects were allegedly attempting to strengthen the terror organisation's network in Gujarat. Multiple ATS teams simultaneously carried out search operations at different locations, leading to the detention of all eight accused. They are currently being interrogated to determine the extent of their alleged involvement and identify any wider network or operational plans.

Officials said the action is part of heightened security measures being implemented ahead of the annual Rath Yatra, one of Gujarat's largest religious processions that attracts thousands of devotees and remains under extensive security surveillance every year.

The arrested suspects have been identified as Ahmed Abdullah Gajiwala alias Abu Ubaida (19), Ibrahim Mohammad Husen Ghagha alias Abu Hamza (30), Mudassir Abdullah Ghaziwala alias Abu Aya (22), Zakariya Durani Mohammad Ammar Ghagha alias Ibn Ammar and Zakariya Palanpuri (21), Mufti Faujan Ismail Dauwa alias Mufti Sahab (40), Mohammad Amin Shera alias Amin Palanpuri (21), Mohammad Abdul Rahman Savdi alias Mohammad Palanpuri and Abu Unisa (22), and Bilal Durani Mohammad Ammar Ghagha alias Abu Dujana, Abu Sufiyan, Abu Zundal and Umar bin Khattab (18), who hails from Dewas in Madhya Pradesh.

Investigators said the accused are being questioned over their alleged involvement in anti-national activities, recruitment efforts and suspected links with Jaish-e-Mohammed. Security agencies are also examining their communication records, financial transactions, digital devices and possible contacts with other individuals associated with extremist organisations.

The ATS has not disclosed whether the group had any immediate plans to target the Rath Yatra or any other public event. Officials maintained that the investigation is at a preliminary stage and further details will emerge after sustained interrogation and forensic examination of the seized material.

A criminal case has been registered against all eight accused under Sections 13, 17, 18, 38 and 39 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967, along with Sections 148 and 61 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. These provisions deal with unlawful activities, raising funds for terrorism, conspiracy, membership and support to terrorist organisations, as well as offences related to criminal conduct.

Officials said additional legal action could follow depending on the outcome of the ongoing investigation. The ATS is also coordinating with central intelligence agencies and law enforcement authorities in other states to trace any interstate or cross-border links connected to the accused.

Security agencies routinely intensify surveillance before major religious gatherings such as the Rath Yatra due to the large public participation. The latest operation is being viewed as part of preventive security measures aimed at disrupting suspected terror modules before they can establish operational capabilities.

Authorities have appealed to the public not to circulate unverified information on social media and assured that all necessary security arrangements are in place for the smooth and peaceful conduct of the upcoming Rath Yatra.

More than a year after Indian forces struck terror infrastructure across Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir, the central government has officially released the names of six military personnel who lost their lives during Operation Sindoor. It is the first time the identities of the fallen have been made public.

The six martyrs are Subedar Major Pawan Kumar, Rifleman Sunil Kumar, Lance Naik Dinesh Kumar, Agniveer Mood Murli Naik, Havildar Sunil Kumar Singh, and Sergeant Surendra Kumar. Five belonged to the Army; Sergeant Surendra Kumar was from the Indian Air Force.

Operation Sindoor was launched on May 7, 2025, in direct response to the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 civilians were killed. The Indian Armed Forces carried out precision strikes on nine terror facilities linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba in Pakistan and PoK — the most significant cross-border military action India had undertaken in years.

The targets hit included the Sawai Nala training centre in Muzaffarabad, where terrorists responsible for the Sonamarg, Gulmarg, and Pahalgam attacks had trained; the Syedna Bilal Camp, also in Muzaffarabad, used for weapons and jungle survival training; and the Gulpur Camp in Kotli, linked to the 2023 Poonch pilgrim attack. Strikes also hit Abbas Camp in Kotli — a fidayeen training facility just 13 kilometres from the Line of Control — Barnala Camp in Bhimber, and Sarjal Camp in Sialkot, where personnel involved in the March 2025 killing of police officers had been trained.

Two high-profile targets were Markaz Taiba in Muridke, where Ajmal Kasab and David Coleman Headley had received training before the 2008 Mumbai attacks, and the Subhan Allah Mosque complex in Bahawalpur, which served as Jaish-e-Mohammed's headquarters and was regularly used by senior leadership for recruitment. The Mehmuna Joya Camp of Hizbul Mujahideen in Sialkot, where the Pathankot attack was planned, was also among the nine sites struck.

Military action was halted on May 10, 2025, following talks between the Directors General of Military Operations of India and Pakistan.

The names of the six personnel will now be inscribed at the National War Memorial near India Gate in New Delhi — the memorial inaugurated in 2019 that records the names of all soldiers who have died in service to the nation since independence. With this, Operation Sindoor formally enters the roll of military operations honoured at the memorial.

For the families of the six, the public acknowledgment closes a long period of quiet grief. The government's decision to release names and ensure memorial recognition signals that the sacrifices made during the operation will be part of the official record of India's military history.

In a major boost to security forces, two terrorists were neutralised during an intense Udhampur encounter in Jammu and Kashmir's Basantgarh area on February 4, 2026. This development comes amid heightened vigilance against terror activities in the region.

The Udhampur encounter unfolded around 4 PM on Tuesday when a joint team from the Army’s White Knight Corps (CIF Delta), Jammu and Kashmir Police, and CRPF launched a search in a dense forest near Johpar-Marta village in Ramnagar tehsil. Acting on specific intelligence about terrorist movements, the forces cordoned off the area. Hiding in a cave, the terrorists opened fire, caught on camera by security personnel. Troops retaliated swiftly, leading to the neutralisation of both militants.

Operation Kiya Launched in Basantgarh

The Army announced Operation Kiya, an intelligence-driven joint effort, via social media. "CIF Delta, along with J&K Police and CRPF, has cordoned Basantgarh. Encounter underway," the White Knight Corps posted. The entire zone remains sealed, with exit points blocked and reinforcements deployed. Operations continue as forces hunt for possible accomplices.

This Udhampur encounter matters now because Jammu and Kashmir faces a surge in terror incursions post-winter. Experts like retired Major General Ashok Mehta note, "Such precise intel-based ops disrupt Lashkar and Jaish networks, sending a strong message." It reassures locals amid fears of infiltration.

Ongoing Operation Trashi-1 in Kishtwar

Parallel to the Udhampur encounter, Operation Trashi-1 rages in Kishtwar's Chatru belt forests near Sonar village. Launched January 18, it has seen four clashes in 15 days:

• January 18: Eight jawans injured; Havildar Gajendra Singh succumbed later.
  
  

• January 22 & 24: Intense firefights.
  
  

• January 31: Firing resumed in Dolgam.
  
  

These ops highlight relentless pursuit, with one soldier's sacrifice underscoring the risks.

Recent Wins: Jaish Commander Down in Kathua

Adding to successes, security forces eliminated Jaish-e-Mohammed commander Usman in Kathua on January 23. Active in Doda-Udhampur-Kathua for two years, he was tracked for a week. Troops recovered an American M4 rifle, ammo, and explosives.

These back-to-back actions in Jammu Kashmir terrorists hotspots like Basantgarh operation show coordinated strategy. Security analyst Praveen Swami says, "Zero-tolerance ops are curbing modules effectively." For residents, it means safer paths; for the nation, a firm stand against cross-border terror.

As Operation Kiya progresses, updates will follow. Stay tuned for more on these critical Jammu Kashmir security ops.