Jaish-e-Mohammed: A persistent headache

NEW DELHI: Jaish-e-Mohammed, which is suspected to have a role in the recent blast near the Red Fort, has long carried out terror attacks in India with the support of Pakistan. Jammu and Kashmir has always been the group’s main target. The organisation was founded in 2000 by Masood Azhar, and its current supreme commander is Abdul Rauf Azhar. The group follows ideologies linked to Deobandi jihadism, Sunni extremism, and Islamic fundamentalism. Its base is in Bahawalpur, Pakistan.

Jaish-e-Mohammed maintains close ties with the Taliban, Al-Qaeda, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Hizbul Mujahideen, Harkat-ul-Mujahideen, Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind, and Indian Mujahideen. The group has carried out joint attacks with these organisations in the past.

Impact of Operation Sindoor
In May this year, India launched Operation Sindoor in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. The operation caused heavy losses for Jaish-e-Mohammed. Several members, including Masood Azhar’s brother Yusuf Azhar, were killed. Indian forces destroyed Jaish bases in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and inside Pakistan. However, the latest attack is being seen as a sign that Jaish is rebuilding months after the operation. Intelligence reports from September had already warned of increased infiltration attempts in Jammu and Kashmir. Jaish has consistently received support from the Pakistan Army and ISI. After global pressure over Pakistan-backed terrorism, Islamabad officially banned Jaish-e-Mohammed in 2002. Some leaders were arrested but later released, and the group continued its activities.

Major attacks carried out in India

• April 20, 2000: Suicide blast at the Army 15 Corps headquarters in Srinagar; 4 soldiers killed.
• October 1, 2001: Jammu and Kashmir Assembly attack; 31 people killed.
• December 13, 2001: Parliament attack; 8 security personnel and a gardener killed. The attackers were shot dead.
• January 2, 2016: Pathankot Air Force Station attack; 7 soldiers killed.
• September 18, 2016: Attack on Indian Army Brigade headquarters in Uri; 19 soldiers killed.
• February 14, 2019: Pulwama suicide attack targeting CRPF convoy; 40 personnel killed.
• July 8, 2024: Five soldiers killed in Kathua.