Ever since India’s Operation Sindoor, a precision airstrike targeting nine terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) on May 7, 2025, speculation has swirled around the fate of Abdul Rauf Asghar, a key figure in the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorist organisation. The Indian media has been rife with conflicting reports, some claiming Asghar was killed in the strikes, others asserting he remains alive. This frenzy of misinformation has clouded the truth, leaving a critical question unanswered: Is Abdul Rauf Asghar dead or alive?
The Persistent Threat of the Brothers: A Lethal Duo
Masood Azhar, the founder of Jaish-e-Mohammed, and his brother Abdul Rauf Asghar represent a grave and persistent threat to India’s national security. Azhar, a designated global terrorist, has orchestrated numerous high-profile attacks, including the 2001 Indian Parliament attack and the 2019 Pulwama bombing, which killed around 40 Indian CRPF personnel. His ability to mobilise resources and radicalise youth through JeM’s propaganda network has made him a formidable adversary.
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Masood Azhar, JeM Founder | Photo courtesy: Wikimedia Commons
Abdul Rauf Asghar, often described as the operational mastermind of JeM, is equally dangerous. Asghar has been instrumental in planning cross-border attacks, coordinating logistics, and smuggling weapons into Jammu & Kashmir. His role in the 2016 Pathankot airbase attack and other terrorist operations points towards his strategic importance to JeM’s anti-India agenda.
The brothers’ deep ties to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) amplify their threat. Protected and supported by elements within Pakistan, they have operated with impunity, using Pakistan’s soil as a safe haven to launch attacks against India. Their ability to evade justice while continuing to radicalise and recruit has destabilised the region, making their neutralisation a top priority for India’s security apparatus. The question of Asghar’s survival is not merely speculative—it carries grave implications for India’s ongoing fight against terrorism.
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Abdul Rauf Asghar | Masood Azhar's brother | Photo courtesy: Wikimedia Commons
The Pahalgam Strikes: Where Is Asghar’s Name?
His Name Doesn’t Figure
The question persists: Is Abdul Rauf Asghar dead or alive? The truth remains elusive, with no official confirmation from Indian authorities. Around 1:30 p.m. on May 10, 2025, Indian media outlets, citing government sources, began reporting the names of terrorists killed in the Pahalgam strikes, part of Operation Sindoor. Notably, Abdul Rauf Asghar’s name was absent from the list. The reported casualties included:
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Mudassar Khadian Khas @ Mudassar @ Abu Jundal, a Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist whose funeral was attended by senior Pakistani officials, including a serving Lieutenant General and the Inspector General of Punjab Police.
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Hafiz Muhammed Jameel, a Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist and elder brother-in-law of Masood Azhar.
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Mohammad Yusuf Azhar, another JeM terrorist, brother-in-law of Masood Azhar, and wanted in the IC-814 hijacking case.
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Khalid @ Abu Akasha, an LeT operative involved in weapons smuggling and attacks in Jammu & Kashmir, with his funeral attended by Pakistani Army officials.
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Mohammad Hassan Khan, a JeM terrorist and son of Mufti Asghar Khan Kashmiri, who coordinated attacks in Jammu & Kashmir.
The absence of Asghar’s name in these reports has fueled further uncertainty, as the Indian media’s reliance on unofficial sources has done little to clarify the situation.
Masood Azhar’s Alleged Statement and the Missing Name
Even Here, His Name Doesn’t Figure
Adding to the mystery, BBC Urdu reported that Masood Azhar, the JeM chief, issued a statement claiming that India’s Operation Sindoor airstrikes killed 10 members of his family and four close aides. According to the report, Azhar named his elder sister and her husband, a nephew and his wife, a niece, five children from his extended family, a close associate and his mother, and two other companions among the deceased. This statement, if authentic, is significant, yet it conspicuously omits Abdul Rauf Asghar’s name. The lack of independent verification of Azhar’s claims further muddies the waters.
If Asghar’s death is confirmed at some point, it would mark a monumental success for India’s armed forces and Operation Sindoor. Asghar’s elimination would likely disrupt JeM’s operational capabilities and send a strong message to terrorist networks operating from Pakistani soil. However, until official confirmation emerges, the question of his fate remains a tantalising enigma, with media speculation only deepening the confusion.
China’s Role in Shielding Terrorists: The Dragon’s Shadow
Abdul Rauf Asghar’s continued evasion of international sanctions is largely due to China’s repeated interventions. As a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council with veto power, China has blocked proposals by India and the United States to designate Asghar as a UN terrorist, claiming it needs “more time to examine evidence.” This pattern of obstruction is not new. From 2009 to 2019, China similarly delayed sanctions against Masood Azhar, relenting only under intense global pressure in 2019. China’s actions reflect its strategic alignment with Pakistan, a key ally in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a cornerstone of Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative.
China’s support extends beyond the UN. Pakistan has faced scrutiny from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) for its weak measures against terror groups like JeM, yet China has worked to shield Islamabad from harsher penalties, helping it avoid the FATF’s scrutiny. This protection enables Pakistan to maintain its status as a safe haven for terrorists, with figures like Asghar operating freely. China’s actions reveal a troubling willingness to prioritise geopolitical interests over global security, effectively abetting terrorism emanating from Pakistani soil.
The Fog of Disinformation
In these sensitive times, the spread of disinformation from both Pakistani and Indian media has heightened confusion surrounding Operation Sindoor and Abdul Rauf Asghar’s fate. The Indian media’s rush to report unverified details, often citing anonymous sources, has undermined public trust and clarity. Similarly, Pakistan’s narrative seeks to downplay the strikes’ impact while deflecting responsibility. The best course of action is to await official confirmation from credible authorities and resist the frenzy of social media and sensationalist news reports.