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Pakistan-based terror leader Masood Azhar admits in a recent audio that his 1990s jailbreak attempt in Jammu’s Kot Bhalwal jail failed, leading to severe punishments, strict restrictions, and chains, highlighting his past imprisonment before founding JeM.
Masood Azhar admits failed jailbreak in Kot Bhalwal jail.
Jammu: Masood Azhar, the leader of the Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed, recently recounted a failed attempt to escape from Jammu and Kashmir’s Kot Bhalwal jail during the 1990s. In an audio clip likely recorded at a public event in Pakistan, Azhar admitted that he had dug a tunnel with the aim of escaping, only for the plan to be discovered by jail authorities on the day he intended to flee. Intelligence sources have confirmed the authenticity of the audio.
Severe Punishments in Jail
In the recording, Azhar recalled the harsh repercussions of his failed jailbreak. He admitted that jail officials punished him and other inmates involved in the plot severely. Restrictions were tightened on daily activities, he was tied in chains, and strict enforcement of rules made life inside Kot Bhalwal extremely difficult. Azhar expressed that the memory of the punishments and the fear of jail authorities stayed with him for years.
Early Life and Arrest
Masood Azhar arrived in India in February 1994 using a fake Portuguese passport with the aim of spreading jihad in Jammu and Kashmir and recruiting terrorists. He was arrested the same year in Anantnag and remained imprisoned until 1999. During his time in jail, there were multiple attempts by terrorists to free him, all of which failed. The Kot Bhalwal facility is known as a high-security jail for the most dangerous prisoners in India.
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Release and Formation of JeM
Azhar was released in December 1999 following the hijacking of Indian Airlines flight IC-814 in a hostage exchange. After his release, he went on to establish Jaish-e-Mohammed, a terror group responsible for multiple attacks in India. Over the years, he has been implicated in high-profile terror incidents, including the 2001 Indian Parliament attack, 2008 Mumbai attacks, and the Pulwama terror strike.
Impact of Recent Operations
Azhar also commented on the aftermath of India’s Operation Sindoor, a cruise missile strike targeting terror infrastructure inside Pakistan in response to the Pulwama attack. He stated that at least ten of his family members and four close aides were killed during the strike, highlighting the continued Indian action against terror networks linked to him.
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Conclusion
The revelations by Masood Azhar about his failed jailbreak and subsequent harsh treatment in Kot Bhalwal jail provide insight into the past of one of India’s most wanted terrorists. His story from imprisonment to becoming the founder of a major terror group underscores the challenges of counter-terrorism and the persistent threat posed by groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed.
