IC-814 Hijackers, Pulwama Masterminds Among 100 Killed in Operation Sindoor: Indian Army
Over 100 terrorists, including masterminds of the IC-814 hijacking and the Pulwama attack, were killed in Operation Sindoor, the Indian Army confirmed on Sunday.
The Indian Army on Sunday revealed that it eliminated over 100 terrorists in its retaliatory Operation Sindoor, targeting nine major terror camps across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Among the dead were key operatives linked to some of the most devastating terror attacks on Indian soil.
Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai, Director General of Military Operations (DGMO), confirmed that those killed include Yusuf Azhar, Abdul Malik Rauf, and Mudasir Ahmed—senior figures involved in the 1999 IC-814 hijacking and the 2019 Pulwama terror attack.
Air Marshal AK Bharti said the Indian Air Force carried out precision strikes on designated terror training hubs in Bahawalpur and Muridke, deep within Pakistani territory. “We used air-to-surface guided munitions after thorough target system analysis, ensuring minimal collateral damage and effective engagement,” Bharti noted during the joint Army-Air Force briefing.
Yusuf Azhar, brother-in-law of Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar, was instrumental in orchestrating the IC-814 hijacking. Abdul Malik Rauf, a Lashkar-e-Taiba commander designated as a global terrorist by the US, and Mudasir Ahmed, who operated from LeT’s Markaz Taiba headquarters in Muridke, were also killed in the strikes.
“These were not random targets. These were high-value individuals responsible for numerous attacks against India,” Lt Gen Ghai said.
India launched the operation on May 7 in response to the brutal Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians, including a foreign national. The attack was carried out by Pakistan-based terrorists, triggering India’s swift military response.
Lt Gen Ghai emphasized, “The aim was clear—to punish those who orchestrated terror and dismantle their infrastructure.”
Muridke, the long-time base of Lashkar-e-Taiba, was specifically mentioned by officials as a “breeding ground for notorious terrorists” including 26/11 attacker Ajmal Kasab and 2008 Mumbai attacks co-conspirator David Headley. These sites had reportedly continued functioning as training hubs for new recruits.
Operation Sindoor has sent a clear message, according to Indian defence officials—that India will not tolerate cross-border terrorism. Officials underscored India’s strategic restraint and targeted execution to avoid civilian casualties.
“Our commitment to safeguarding national security is non-negotiable,” the DGMO concluded.
