New Delhi, May 2025: In a significant breakthrough in India’s counter-terrorism efforts, Operation Sindoor has culminated in the killing of Yusuf Azhar, the brother-in-law of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar and the key conspirator behind the infamous IC-814 hijacking that rocked the nation in December 1999.
The successful operation marks the end of a 25-year manhunt, bringing closure to one of India’s darkest chapters in the fight against terror. Yusuf Azhar, also known by his alias Mohammed Salim, was neutralized in a precise and intelligence-driven strike conducted by Indian security forces in a covert cross-border mission titled Operation Sindoor.
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Yusuf Azhar was one of the main architects of the Indian Airlines Flight IC-814 hijacking, in which the aircraft was commandeered on December 24, 1999, en route from Kathmandu to Delhi. The hijackers forced the plane to land in Kandahar, Afghanistan, then under Taliban control. The crisis ended after India released three dreaded terrorists — including Masood Azhar — in exchange for the hostages’ lives.
This decision would later prove costly, as Masood Azhar went on to form Jaish-e-Mohammed, which would be responsible for multiple attacks on Indian soil, including the deadly 2001 Indian Parliament attack and the Pulwama attack in 2019.
According to intelligence sources, Operation Sindoor was the result of months of surveillance and deep intelligence coordination. The mission was launched after credible inputs confirmed Yusuf’s presence at a JeM safe house in Pakistan-occupied territory. Indian forces executed a swift and targeted strike, avoiding civilian casualties and ensuring minimal collateral damage.
High-level government sources have praised the operation, calling it a “symbolic and strategic victory” in the larger battle against cross-border terrorism.
For the families of the IC-814 hostages and victims of JeM-sponsored terror attacks, Yusuf Azhar’s elimination represents long-awaited justice. His death closes a painful chapter that began on Christmas Eve in 1999, when the hijacking led to national outrage and a major diplomatic standoff.
Yusuf had long evaded justice under the protection of terror networks in Pakistan, despite being one of India's most wanted fugitives. India had issued multiple red corner notices against him and repeatedly demanded his extradition.
Top Indian leaders and officials lauded the successful operation. The Home Minister called it “a bold and decisive action that proves India's zero-tolerance policy on terrorism.” Social media was abuzz with reactions praising the armed forces and intelligence agencies.
Meanwhile, diplomatic circles are watching closely, anticipating Pakistan’s response to the high-profile operation. However, experts suggest that India’s firm resolve and international support for its anti-terror stance provide a strong strategic advantage.
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Operation Sindoor is more than just a military achievement — it is a moment of justice served after a 25-year wait. The death of Yusuf Azhar, a key figure behind one of India's most traumatic terror incidents, sends a clear message: those who harm India will not be forgotten, and justice, no matter how delayed, will be delivered.
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