Mastermind of IC-814 hijack killed in India’s Operation Sindhoor

Mufti Abdul Rauf Asghar, also known as Abdul Rauf Azhar, one of India’s most wanted terrorists and a top commander of the terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) has been killed in India’s recent airstrike under Operation Sindoor. He was the younger brother of JeM chief Masood Azhar and played a key role in running the organization, especially in Azhar’s absence.

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Rauf Asghar was the mastermind behind the infamous IC-814 Indian Airlines hijacking that took place on December 24, 1999. Following this hijacking, India was forced to release Masood Azhar from Tihar Jail in exchange for the safety of the passengers. Masood later fled to Pakistan and founded JeM, which went on to execute several deadly attacks, including the 2001 Indian Parliament attack.

Operation Sindoor’s airstrike successfully eliminated Rauf Asghar, delivering a significant blow to JeM. Following the strike, Masood Azhar released a statement claiming that ten members of his family were killed in the attack.