ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (Diya TV) — A top commander of the terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Abdul Aziz Esar, was found dead under mysterious circumstances in Pakistan’s Punjab province, multiple media outlets reported Monday, amid heightened regional tensions following India’s recent cross-border military operation targeting terrorist infrastructure.
Esar, known for delivering anti-India speeches and maintaining close ties with the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), was discovered early in the morning by one of his aides, according to a report from Times Now, which cited unnamed sources. His death came without warning, and there were no immediate signs of bullet wounds, according to JeM’s encrypted social media channels, which denied gunfire played a role in his demise.
Authorities in Pakistan have not publicly commented on Esar’s death. No group has claimed responsibility, and official details remain scarce. However, his death marks the second killing of a top terrorist figure in Pakistan within a fortnight. On May 17, Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) leader Saifullah Khalid was fatally shot by unidentified assailants in Sindh province.
The development follows India’s Operation Sindoor, launched in the early hours of May 7 in retaliation for the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 civilians, including a Nepali national. Indian officials said the attack was orchestrated by Pakistan-based groups.
Under Operation Sindoor, the Indian Armed Forces conducted precision strikes against nine terrorist infrastructure sites — four in Pakistan and five in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). Key targets included major strongholds of JeM, LeT, and Hizbul Mujahideen. Indian officials claimed the operation killed more than 100 terrorists and inflicted heavy damage on terrorist command centers in Bahawalpur, Muridke, Muzaffarabad, and Kotli.
“Jaish-e-Mohammed headquarters at Bahawalpur was hit the hardest. The most potent weapon was used,” a senior Indian defense source told Times Now, adding that JeM’s roots in the ISI made the target symbolically and strategically significant.
The strikes represented a significant shift in India’s counterterrorism posture, expanding its engagement beyond the Line of Control (LoC) deep into Pakistan’s heartland — areas previously considered off-limits even for U.S. drone operations. “India made it clear: neither the LoC nor Pakistani territory will remain untouched if terror originates from there,” an Indian government official told News18.
As the fallout from Operation Sindoor continues, tensions between India and Pakistan have escalated, leading to cross-border shelling and civilian displacement on both sides. Several Pakistani border districts experienced blackouts and heightened security alerts in the aftermath of the Indian offensive.
While no diplomatic dialogue occurred at the highest levels, sources said that the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) from both nations maintained limited communication. The conflict de-escalated on May 10 after U.S. President Donald Trump, posting on Truth Social, announced a temporary ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan.
Despite the ceasefire, observers suggest that Islamabad continues to feel the aftershocks of Operation Sindoor. The unexplained death of Abdul Aziz Esar has further unsettled Pakistan’s security establishment. “Every other day, a new report or satellite image emerges that adds salt to Pakistan’s injury and humiliation,” reported News18, citing ongoing intelligence leaks and military assessments.
Esar’s death not only raises questions about internal rifts within Pakistan’s militant networks but also underscores India’s resolve in targeting leadership figures believed to be responsible for cross-border terrorism
