New Delhi, March 19: Masood Azhar, the leader of Jaish-e-Mohammed, traditionally issues messages to his supporters and cadres ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr. Recently, he released an audio clip for them. However, Indian agency officials have noted some alarming changes in this message.
According to the agencies, Azhar appeared broken in his Eid message, and his usual fiery rhetoric against India seemed notably weak. Indian intelligence agencies monitoring Jaish-e-Mohammed suggest that all is not well within the organization. Azhar appears to be very ill, prompting calls for a leadership change among many members.
Within the terrorist organization, there is a growing sentiment that the current situation is unhelpful and is hindering operations. An official pointed out that this time, Lashkar-e-Taiba seems to be more active. The leadership of Lashkar has been seen mingling with members of Hamas. In contrast, Jaish-e-Mohammed has been conspicuously quiet and absent from major events, indicating internal strife within its leadership.
Many recognize that replacing Azhar will not be easy, as it could further demoralize the cadre. However, others argue that without strong command, the organization may begin to disintegrate. Currently, the behavior of Jaish members has changed due to the absence of a strong leader. Launchpads are still present in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, but officials state that Lashkar-e-Taiba operatives appear more active than those of Jaish-e-Mohammed.
Initially, it seemed that Jaish-e-Mohammed was staging a performance to portray Azhar as ill and broken, possibly to shield him from Indian military actions. However, intelligence agencies have confirmed that all is not well with Azhar, and discussions about a change in top leadership are underway.
Another official mentioned that the organization is in a dilemma over whether to appoint a family member of Azhar as chief or someone with operational experience. To maintain unity within the cadre, a family member would be the first choice. Nevertheless, the terrorist organization also requires a strong commander.
Abdul Jabbar, in charge of military affairs, could be a potential option as he oversees on-ground operations, including logistics and planning. The likelihood of Azhar’s brother, Talha Al-Saif, being chosen is low, as his role has primarily been limited to managing digital wallets for Jaish-e-Mohammed’s funding.
–
KK/ABM
Arpit Soni has had a passion for journalism since the beginning. Now he has turned this hobby into his profession. Arpit, who is a resident of Udaipur, enjoys editing and writing news related to journalism. He has worked as a Senior Content Producer in several important roles at Bhaskar, Patrika, Pratahkal, Punjab Kesari, and Times. Arpit completed his schooling in Udaipur and Jaipur. He has been working in the media industry for more than 10 years, and his journey is still continuing. ✍️📚
Leave a Comment