New Delhi, August 22, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Indian security agencies have flagged a renewed propaganda campaign by Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) centred on its chief Masood Azhar, with the terror group allegedly using narratives of “sacrifice” and revenge to attract and radicalise potential recruits following Operation Sindoor.
According to intelligence inputs, Azhar has remained out of the public eye since the operation, amid reports of serious health concerns and heightened security measures. Officials said his absence from public view has also been attributed to fears over his possible elimination.
An Intelligence Bureau official said that despite Azhar’s disappearance from public platforms, his speeches and radical ideology continue to influence young people. The official claimed that Azhar’s rhetoric has a wider appeal among recruits than that of other Pakistan-based militant leaders, including Lashkar-e-Taiba chief Hafiz Saeed and Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin.
Following Operation Sindoor, questions reportedly emerged among JeM cadres and prospective recruits over Azhar’s whereabouts. The group and Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) initially circulated audio and video material purportedly featuring Azhar, but later shifted its approach after doubts emerged over the authenticity of some of the clips.
Officials said JeM subsequently began explaining Azhar’s absence to cadres while repeatedly exposing recruits to his speeches and ideological material. The organisation is also allegedly encouraging prospective recruits to work in Azhar’s name.
According to the intelligence inputs, the group is exploiting losses suffered during Operation Sindoor to build a narrative around Azhar’s personal “sacrifice”. Officials said Azhar lost several members of his family, including his brother, sister, son and grandchildren, while JeM also suffered casualties.
The propaganda allegedly urges recruits to join JeM, fight in Azhar’s name and seek revenge for the losses suffered by the organisation.
Officials said propaganda material featuring Azhar’s speeches, writings and radical views is being circulated in both India and Pakistan and is also being shared with suspected modules operating in India. Handlers are allegedly instructing members to circulate the material widely to influence and recruit young people.
Indian agencies have also identified modules allegedly inspired by JeM and Azhar that are prepared to undertake attacks in the name of the organisation and its chief, officials said.
According to an official, the strategy also provides the ISI and JeM with a degree of deniability. The modules are allegedly instructed not to operate openly as JeM units, but to act in its name, making it harder to establish a direct link to Pakistan in the event of an attack.
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