What Is The Hidden Business Empire Of Terrorist Masood Azhar’s Family

In a significant blow to Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and its chief, Maulana Masood Azhar, India’s Operation Sindoor has caused devastating losses. While multiple hideouts and assets of the militant group have been destroyed, the operation also led to the tragic deaths of 14 members of Azhar’s family. This attack on JeM’s headquarters in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) resulted in the loss of Azhar’s close family members, including his wife.

Operation Sindoor Targets Key Locations

Operation Sindoor targeted several strategic locations in Pakistan and PoK, with the headquarters of JeM being one of the primary targets. The raid caused irreparable damage to JeM’s infrastructure and resulted in the death of Masood Azhar’s immediate family, including his wife. In a statement after the attack, Azhar expressed deep sorrow, stating that “it would have been better if I had also died.”

A Life of Wealth and Luxury

Masood Azhar’s family, once living in luxury, had accumulated significant wealth over the years. Reports from Pakistani media reveal that Azhar and his family were living in great prosperity, with assets worth billions of rupees. They resided in Bahawalpur, where Masood Azhar’s headquarters was also located. The family’s wealth can be seen in their vast landholdings, including acres of property in the name of a mosque. This land was used to run training centers for JeM militants, and its estimated worth runs into crores of rupees.

Masood Azhar’s headquarters, located near the mosque in Bahawalpur, is also said to have been worth millions of rupees. The mosque, known as Masjid Subhan Allah, covered an area of 18 acres and was central to JeM’s fundraising efforts. It was also known as the Usman-o-Ali Complex and served as a major center for militant training. Additionally, Azhar’s family owned large tracts of land in Muridke and Markaz Taiba, assets that have now been completely destroyed in the wake of the operation.

Masood Azhar’s Net Worth and Influence

Azhar, often referred to as one of Pakistan’s wealthiest terrorists, is thought to have amassed considerable assets. Six years ago, France took action by freezing millions of dollars worth of assets tied to Azhar. However, detailed information about his total net worth remains scarce. Despite this, it is clear that Azhar and his family were living a life of immense wealth, enjoying security and comfort while running JeM’s terror operations.

A Humble Beginning

Despite the extreme wealth that Masood Azhar and his family enjoyed later in life, they had humble beginnings. Azhar was born on July 10, 1968, in Bahawalpur, Punjab, Pakistan. He was one of 11 siblings, and his father, Allah Baksh Shabbir, was a government school teacher and a Maulvi with Deobandi ideology. Early in life, Azhar’s family operated a dairy and poultry farm to make a living. This modest business served as the family’s primary source of income before Azhar’s radicalization and the eventual founding of JeM.

The Aftermath of Operation Sindoor

Operation Sindoor marks a turning point in the fight against terrorism in South Asia. While Azhar and his family’s wealth and influence were once significant, the destruction of JeM’s assets and the loss of his family members has severely crippled his operations. As tensions between India and Pakistan continue to escalate, the lasting effects of Operation Sindoor will likely influence the course of future military and diplomatic actions in the region.

The attack on Masood Azhar’s family and his assets highlights the deep-rooted infrastructure supporting terrorism, and the ongoing conflict between India and Pakistan will continue to be shaped by these high-stakes developments.