JeM Commander Accuses Pakistan Army of Honoring Masood Azhar’s Slain Kin in Military Ceremonies
Revelations in viral speech highlight alleged deep ties between Pakistani military and terror outfit amid India’s Operation Sindoor strikes
By NewsArc Bureau
New Delhi, September 16, 2025: A high-ranking commander from the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) has leveled serious accusations against Pakistan’s military establishment, claiming that Army Chief General Asim Munir personally mandated full military honors for the deceased family members of JeM founder Masood Azhar following deadly Indian airstrikes earlier this year. The allegations, made during a public address, underscore purported longstanding collaborations between the Pakistani armed forces and jihadist elements, further straining cross-border relations.
In a speech delivered at the 38th Annual Mission Mustafa Conference held at Central Eidgah in Garhi Habibullah, located in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on September 15, Maulana Mufti Muhammad Masood Ilyas Kashmiri—a trusted associate of Azhar—urged supporters to rally behind jihadist causes. He detailed how, in the aftermath of India’s “Operation Sindoor” on May 7, Munir instructed corps commanders to participate in the funerals of Azhar’s relatives killed in the operation, with the Pakistan Air Force assigned to ensure security. Kashmiri further asserted that the air force retaliated against the losses suffered by JeM fighters, effectively bringing the entire military apparatus “within the fold of jihadist principles” after years of mutual support.
“Following the ultimate sacrifice, on May 7, the family of Maulana Masood Azhar was shattered by Indian aggression in Bahawalpur,” Kashmiri stated in the widely circulated video of his address, adding that the Pakistani military’s involvement marked a significant shift toward embracing militant ideologies.
These claims come against the backdrop of Operation Sindoor, a precision strike conducted by Indian forces deep into Pakistani territory and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The operation targeted nine critical terrorist facilities associated with groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba, JeM, and Hizbul Mujahideen, which served as hubs for training and orchestrating attacks on India. It was launched in retaliation to a devastating terrorist assault in Pahalgam on April 22, which claimed the lives of 26 people, predominantly tourists. Indian officials at the time characterized the response as calibrated, precise, and aimed at avoiding escalation during a subsequent briefing.
Masood Azhar, designated a global terrorist by the United Nations for his role in orchestrating attacks such as the 2019 Pulwama bombing that killed 40 Indian paramilitary personnel, has long been a focal point of India’s accusations against Pakistan for sheltering extremists. Islamabad has consistently rejected these assertions, maintaining that it combats terrorism without bias. However, Kashmiri’s statements are expected to intensify international pressure on Pakistan to demonstrate genuine efforts in dismantling terror networks.
The video of the commander’s speech has sparked widespread discussion online, with analysts pointing to it as evidence of the blurred lines between state institutions and non-state actors in Pakistan. Neither the Pakistani military nor JeM has issued an official response to the allegations as of now, but the disclosures could complicate ongoing diplomatic dialogues between India and Pakistan, especially amid calls for renewed counter-terrorism cooperation.
As tensions persist along the Line of Control, experts suggest that such admissions from within terror ranks may bolster India’s stance on cross-border threats, potentially influencing future security strategies in the region.
