By Manisha Sahu, America News World
A fresh controversy has erupted in Pakistan after new video clips of Jaish-e-Muhammed (JeM) commander Masood Ilyas Kashmiri surfaced online, in which he makes explosive revelations linking the Pakistan Army to terrorist operations and funerals of slain militants. The videos, now widely circulated on social media, could further intensify international scrutiny on Islamabad’s long-denied connections to cross-border terrorism against India.
Pakistan Army Chief Allegedly Ordered Military Honors for Terrorists
In the first clip, Kashmiri can be heard alleging that Pakistan’s Army Chief, General Asim Munir, personally ordered senior army officers to attend the funerals of terrorists killed during India’s recent Operation Sindoor. According to Kashmiri, directives from the Army’s General Headquarters (GHQ) required corps commanders to not only attend the ceremonies but also participate in uniform, rendering military salutes to those killed in action against Indian security forces.
Kashmiri purportedly states:
“GHQ directed that the martyrs be honoured with the last salute, and ordered corps commanders to accompany the janaza (funeral procession) in uniform and stand guard.”
Such a claim, if true, directly contradicts Pakistan’s repeated denials of official support to terror outfits like JeM, Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), and Hizbul Mujahideen. It also risks exposing the Pakistani military to charges of state complicity in terrorism under international law.
Masood Azhar’s Role in Terror Strikes Acknowledged
In another video that appears to be from the same gathering, Ilyas Kashmiri confirmed the role of JeM founder Maulana Masood Azhar in orchestrating terror strikes on Indian soil, specifically mentioning Delhi and Mumbai.
Speaking in Urdu, Kashmiri praised Azhar, saying:
“After breaking free from Delhi’s Tihar Jail and escaping the grip of the enemies, when Amir-ul-Mujahideen Maulana Masood Azhar came to Pakistan, it was the soil of Balakot that gave him strength to carry forward his mission and his cause in Delhi and Mumbai. This soil, every grain of it, remains indebted to him.”
The reference to Mumbai is particularly significant, given the 2008 terror attacks that left over 170 people dead and remain one of the most glaring examples of Pakistan-based terrorism. Though Kashmiri does not specify the exact attack, the mention of both Delhi and Mumbai underscores Azhar’s longstanding involvement in plotting major assaults across India.
Operation Sindoor: India’s Retaliation
The revelations come on the heels of India’s powerful Operation Sindoor, which was launched in retaliation to the April 22 terror strike in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam that killed 26 civilians, most of them tourists.
In a rare tri-service operation involving the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force, New Delhi executed precision strikes overnight on multiple terror hideouts in Pakistan, including those in Bahawalpur, Kotli, and Muridke. At least nine entrenched bases of JeM, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen were destroyed.
According to Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, the operation was carefully planned to avoid civilian casualties. “No civilian casualties were reported on our side. The strikes were aimed strictly at eliminating terrorist networks,” she told reporters.
Pakistan, however, claimed 26 deaths and 46 injuries, without acknowledging that the bombed sites were terror hubs. Islamabad’s refusal to admit the presence of militant infrastructure has long been criticized by global observers, who note a recurring pattern of denial.
Impact on JeM and Masood Azhar’s Family
Kashmiri’s videos also reference the devastating impact Operation Sindoor had on the family of Masood Azhar. In one recording, he laments how the JeM chief’s relatives were directly hit during the strikes.
“Embracing terrorism, we fought Delhi, Kabul, and Kandahar for protecting the borders of this country. After sacrificing everything, on May 7, Maulana Masood Azhar’s family was torn apart by Indian forces in Bahawalpur,” he reportedly said.
The admission underscores the scale of damage inflicted on Pakistan-based terror outfits during India’s coordinated offensive. Analysts believe the strikes have significantly weakened the operational capacity of JeM and its affiliated groups.
Pakistan’s Growing Isolation
These latest revelations could deepen Pakistan’s diplomatic isolation. Already under pressure from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and global powers to crack down on terrorism financing and safe havens, Islamabad’s credibility faces further erosion.
If international agencies authenticate these clips, it could bolster India’s long-standing case that Pakistan’s military establishment provides safe passage, resources, and even ceremonial honors to terrorists operating against New Delhi.
Questions Over Authenticity
While the authenticity of the videos has not been independently verified by media outlets, their timing has generated widespread debate. The fact that Kashmiri openly names General Munir and Azhar suggests either a major internal rift within JeM or a rare, unfiltered look into the Pakistan Army-terror nexus.
Experts caution that without third-party verification, the claims must be treated carefully. However, they add that the confessions align with a pattern of evidence long documented by intelligence agencies worldwide.
India’s Firm Response
New Delhi has so far maintained that its strikes were precise, justified, and proportional. Officials argue that Operation Sindoor was a necessary response to an unprovoked terror attack that killed innocent civilians. By targeting terror infrastructure across the border, India signaled a clear shift toward preemptive and punitive strikes, rather than reactive measures.
For India, Kashmiri’s confessions—if proven genuine—may serve as a diplomatic weapon to rally greater global consensus against Pakistan. “The world can now see who Pakistan honors as martyrs,” one Indian security analyst told America News World. “They’re not freedom fighters—they’re terrorists.”
Conclusion
The videos of Ilyas Kashmiri, whether authentic or part of an internal feud, have once again spotlighted Pakistan’s ambiguous role in regional security. By allegedly tying General Asim Munir directly to the glorification of slain terrorists, Kashmiri has raised uncomfortable questions about state complicity.
With India doubling down on precision counter-terror operations and Pakistan facing growing international scrutiny, the revelations could mark another turning point in South Asia’s volatile security landscape.
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