In response to the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, the Indian Armed Forces launched a powerful strike inside Pakistan early Wednesday. The operation targeted key terror bases and resulted in the death of 10 family members of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar in Bahawalpur.

Among those killed were Azhar’s sister and his brother-in-law. Azhar, a UN-designated terrorist, is the head of the Pakistan-based terror group responsible for multiple attacks in India. The Indian Armed Forces carried out major strikes on terror camps in Pakistan’s Punjab province and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), officials confirmed. A total of nine targets were hit, four in Punjab and five in PoK—all linked to terror groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).

One of the key targets was the Subhan Allah complex in Bahawalpur, believed to be a stronghold of JeM. Also, Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar has admitted that 10 of his family members, including his sister, were killed in the strike. Pakistani media reports suggest the total death toll at his residence may be 14. The funeral is expected to be held in Bahawalpur.

The Indian government clarified that no Pakistani military installations were targeted; only terror infrastructure was destroyed in the precision operation. During the strike on terror camps in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, Lashkar-e-Taiba’s religious preacher, Qari Mohammad Iqbal, was killed in Kotli, official sources confirmed.

The Indian government clarified that no civilian areas were targeted and there were no civilian casualties, countering claims made by Pakistan. The operation was aimed specifically at terrorist bases and was carried out with precision.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said the country is open to ending the confrontation if India stops its military action. “India started this. We only responded. We will not initiate hostility, but if we are attacked, we will defend ourselves. If India steps back, we will also stop,” he said in an interview.

India has issued a strong warning to Pakistan against any "misadventure" that could worsen the current situation following its precision strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and PoK. At a press briefing, Wing Commander Vyomika Singh stated, "No military establishment was targeted, and there are no reports of civilian casualties. The Indian armed forces are fully prepared to respond to any Pakistani misadventure that could escalate tensions."
She also emphasized that the terror sites were selected based on solid intelligence linking them to cross-border terrorism.