New Delhi: Ten family members and four close aides of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Maulana Masood Azhar were killed in missile strikes carried out by Indian armed forces under ‘Operation Sindoor’, according to a statement released by Azhar.

The admission came through a statement issued by Azhar and reported by BBC Urdu and PTI on Wednesday, a day after India launched Operation Sindoor, its targeted retaliation to the Pahalgam massacre.

The strikes targeted nine terror-linked sites across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), including the JeM headquarters Markaz Subhan Allah in Bahawalpur. Azhar’s elder sister and her husband, and his nephew and his wife, were among those killed.

The operation also hit key compounds associated with Lashkar-e-Taiba and Hizbul Mujahideen, including Markaz Abbas in Kotli, Syedna Bilal camp in Muzaffarabad, Markaz Taiba in Murdike, and camps in Barnala, Shwawai Nalla, Sialkot, among others. Four of the sites were located in Pakistan and five in PoK.

Reacting to the attack, Azhar said, “Is zulm ne saaray zabtay tor diye hain. Ab koi reham ki umeed na rakhe” — meaning “This cruelty has broken all boundaries. Now, no one should expect mercy.”

Indian Air Force officials confirmed the precision night raids were aimed at dismantling terror infrastructure.

Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.



Bhatkal: Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly U. T. Khader visited Bhatkal in Uttara Kannada district on Saturday and attended a local cricket match being played as part of a tournament organised by the Cosmos Sports Centre of Bhatkal.

After attending a programme at Anjuman Hami-E-Muslimeen, Khader proceeded to the Bhatkal Taluka Stadium, where the tournament is underway. He was accompanied by office-bearers of the Cosmos Sports Centre and several local community leaders.

Those present during the visit included President of Majlis-e-Islah Wa Tanzeem and former JD(S) leader Inayathullah Shabandri, Vice President of Tanzeem Atiqur Rahman Muniri, General Secretary Abdul Raqeeb MJ, President of Cosmos Sports Centre Ismail Anjum, Managing Director of Mohtisham Complexes S. M. Arshad, former president of the Bhatkal Muslim Youth Federation Imtiyaz Udyawar, among others.

Addressing players and organisers, Khader extended his best wishes to the participating teams and urged the players to uphold the spirit of sportsmanship. He said such tournaments help promote unity and brotherhood among the youth.

The cricket tournament began on November 21 and will conclude with the final match on December 21. It is being organised as part of the golden jubilee celebrations of the Cosmos Sports Centre.

Cosmos Sports Centre is one of the member clubs of the Bhatkal Muslim Youth Federation and is known for its active role in promoting sports in the town. Apart from sporting activities, the centre is also involved in various social and community initiatives, including efforts to promote education among students.