Masood Azhar is a Pakistani militant leader and the founder of Jaish-e-Mohammed, a group active in Kashmir. Born in Bahawalpur, Punjab, Pakistan, in 1968, he grew up in a large family. His father, Allah Bakhsh Shabbir, was a school headmaster and cleric.
Azhar joined Harkat-ul-Ansar, a militant group, and played a role in recruiting and fundraising. In 1994, Indian authorities arrested him in Srinagar. His release came in 1999 after the hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight 814, which led to a prisoner exchange.
His group was responsible for several attacks in India, including the 2001 Indian Parliament attack. As a result, the United Nations Security Council designated him a global terrorist in 2019.
Azhar remains a controversial figure. India holds him responsible for violent incidents, while Pakistan has denied his direct involvement. His whereabouts have often been debated, with reports suggesting he hides in Pakistan. His influence on South Asian militancy continues to shape regional security discussions.
Early Life and Education
Masood Azhar was born in 1968 in Bahawalpur, Punjab, Pakistan. His father, Allah Bakhsh Shabbir, was a headmaster at a government school and a religious cleric. His family also ran a dairy and poultry farm, providing them with financial stability.
Growing up, Azhar was part of a large family, being the third of 11 children. His family prioritized education and religious studies, shaping his early beliefs and interests.
Schooling
Azhar attended a local government school in Bahawalpur. However, he did not complete his mainstream education and left after class 8. His early schooling focused on basic subjects, but his family encouraged him to pursue Islamic studies.
Religious Education
After leaving regular school, Azhar enrolled in Jamia Uloom Islamic School, a Deobandi madrasa. He studied Islamic teachings, the Quran, and Hadith. He graduated from the madrasa in 1989, earning a reputation as a knowledgeable scholar. After completing his studies, he briefly worked as a teacher at the madrasa.
His education at Jamia Uloom played a crucial role in shaping his ideology. During this time, he developed connections with militant organizations, eventually leading to his involvement in extremist activities.
Masood Azhar Age and Date Of Birth
Masood Azhar was born on July 10, 1968, in Bahawalpur, Punjab, Pakistan. Some reports suggest an alternate birth date of August 7, 1968. As of 2025, he is 56 years old. His early years were spent in a large family with strong religious influences. He pursued Islamic studies and later became involved in militant activities. His name is closely linked to the Jaish-e-Mohammed group and various incidents in South Asia. His exact whereabouts remain unclear, with reports suggesting he is in Pakistan. His influence in regional security discussions continues to be significant.
Wife, Chicken and Family
Masood Azhar keeps his personal life private, and there is limited publicly available information about his wife and children. However, reports indicate that he comes from a large family. His father, Allah Bakhsh Shabbir, was a headmaster and cleric. He has several siblings, and his family has been linked to his militant activities. In 2025, reports surfaced that 10 of his family members, including his elder sister, her husband, a nephew, his wife, and five children, were killed in an Indian military operation. His whereabouts remain unclear, with speculation that he is in Pakistan.
Career
Masood Azhar is known as the founder and leader of Jaish-e-Mohammed, a militant group active in Kashmir. His career has been marked by militant activities, arrests, and international sanctions.
Early Involvement in Militancy
Azhar became involved in militant activities early in his life. He joined Harkat-ul-Ansar, an extremist group, and participated in fundraising and recruitment. Although he trained in Afghanistan, he was unable to complete his military training due to injuries.
Despite this, Azhar played a significant role in recruiting fighters and organizing activities. He traveled to countries like Zambia, Saudi Arabia, the UK, Mongolia, and Albania to gather funds and recruit members. In 1993, he visited Somalia, where he met leaders of al-Itihaad al-Islamiya, an al-Qaeda-linked group.
Arrest and Release
In 1994, Azhar traveled to Srinagar, India, aiming to reduce tensions between rival militant groups. However, Indian authorities arrested him in February 1994. While imprisoned, his group attempted several efforts to secure his release, including kidnapping foreign tourists in Jammu and Kashmir in 1995. The hostages were later killed when their demands were not met.
A dramatic event in December 1999 led to Azhar’s release. His supporters hijacked Indian Airlines Flight 814 and diverted it to Kandahar, Afghanistan. The hijackers demanded Azhar’s freedom in exchange for the hostages. After negotiations, India released Azhar, along with two other militants. Following his release, he addressed thousands of supporters in Karachi, calling for attacks against India and the U.S.
Formation of Jaish-e-Mohammed
After his release, Azhar founded Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), a militant group focused on attacks against India. The group carried out several terrorist incidents, including suicide bombings and armed assaults in Jammu and Kashmir.
One of the most high-profile attacks occurred in December 2001, when JeM fighters stormed the Indian Parliament. The attack led to heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, with both countries mobilizing troops along the border.
Azhar’s group was also linked to the Pulwama attack in 2019, which killed 40 Indian soldiers. This attack prompted retaliatory airstrikes by India inside Pakistan. Despite pressure from the international community, Pakistan did not confirm Azhar’s whereabouts.
International Sanctions and Terrorist Designation
Due to his involvement in terrorist activities, Masood Azhar was sanctioned by multiple countries. On May 1, 2019, the United Nations Security Council officially declared him an international terrorist.
His group was banned by India, the U.S., the U.K., and the U.N. Security Council. Despite these restrictions, reports suggest that JeM continues to operate under different names and disguises.
Present Status
Masood Azhar’s exact whereabouts remain uncertain. India has repeatedly accused Pakistan of sheltering him, but Pakistan has denied any direct involvement. Some reports suggest Azhar is hiding in Pakistan, while others claim he is seriously ill.
His influence on South Asian militancy remains strong, shaping regional security debates. Though sanctioned, his ideology and network continue to inspire extremist movements in Kashmir and beyond.
Latest News on Masood Azhar
India recently carried out Operation Sindoor, a military strike targeting terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). One of the key sites hit was Bahawalpur, where Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar’s family members were reportedly killed.
Masood Azhar confirmed that 10 of his family members and four close associates died in the attack. The deceased included his elder sister, her husband, a nephew, his wife, and five children. Azhar issued a statement accusing India of targeting civilians and vowed retaliation.
India’s Ministry of Defence stated that the strikes focused on terror infrastructure and avoided Pakistani military sites. In response, Pakistan launched mortar shelling along the Line of Control (LoC), leading to civilian casualties.
There is speculation about Masood Azhar’s whereabouts, with some reports suggesting he was present at the targeted site. His status remains unclear, fueling further tensions between India and Pakistan.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Masood Azhar
Who is Masood Azhar?
Masood Azhar is the founder of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), a militant group active in Kashmir. He has been designated as a global terrorist by the United Nations.
What is Masood Azhar’s current status?
His whereabouts remain unclear. Some reports suggest he is hiding in Pakistan, while others claim he was killed in India’s Operation Sindoor.
Why was Masood Azhar released from Indian custody?
He was released in 1999 after the hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight 814. The hijackers demanded his freedom in exchange for hostages.
What are the major attacks linked to Masood Azhar?
His group was responsible for the 2001 Indian Parliament attack, the 2019 Pulwama attack, and several other terror incidents.
QHas Masood Azhar’s family been affected by recent events?
Reports indicate that 10 of his family members were killed in India’s recent military strikes.