Mohammad Tahir Anwar, elder brother of Masood Azhar and a senior figure linked to the banned outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed, has died in Pakistan under reportedly mysterious circumstances.
According to statements from the organisation’s channels, Anwar’s funeral was scheduled to take place at a mosque in Bahawalpur. However, officials have not disclosed the exact cause of his death.
Key role within terror outfit
Sources indicate that Anwar was one of Masood Azhar’s five brothers and played an active role within Jaish-e-Mohammed’s operations. His death has drawn attention due to his association with the group, which has been linked to several major terror incidents.
Previous claims of losses in airstrikes
Last year, Masood Azhar had claimed that multiple members of his family and associates were killed during India’s targeted airstrikes on terror infrastructure in Bahawalpur. The strike reportedly targeted facilities linked to the outfit.
In a statement attributed to him, Azhar mentioned that several relatives, including children and close family members, were among those killed.
Background of Masood Azhar
Masood Azhar, designated a global terrorist by the United Nations Security Council, has been accused of masterminding several major attacks in India, including the 2001 Parliament attack, the 2008 Mumbai attacks, the 2016 Pathankot attack, and the 2019 Pulwama attack.
He was arrested in India in 1994 and later released following the hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight IC 814 hijacking.
Cause of death remains unclear
Authorities in Pakistan have not yet released further details regarding the circumstances surrounding Anwar’s death. The lack of clarity has led to speculation, though no official confirmation has been provided.