Mohammad Tahir Anwar, brother of Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar, has died in Pakistan under unclear circumstances, with no official confirmation yet on the cause of death, said media reports.
His death was confirmed through channels linked to the outfit, which stated that his funeral would be held in Bahawalpur. However, authorities have not disclosed whether his death was due to illness, an attack, or any other specific reason, raising questions around the circumstances.
Key Role Within Jaish-e-Mohammed
Tahir Anwar was not just a relative of Masood Azhar but a long-time associate of Jaish-e-Mohammed, a Pakistan-based militant group. He was believed to be actively involved in the organisation’s functioning and logistics, and was considered part of Azhar’s inner circle.
Media reports indicate that he had been engaged in the outfit’s operations for several years, making him an important figure within the group’s network.
So far, no official statement has clarified the cause of Tahir Anwar’s death. Even internal messages circulating through pro-Jaish channels have only confirmed his passing and funeral details, without mentioning any illness or incident.
This lack of transparency has led to speculation, especially given the sensitive security environment surrounding Jaish-e-Mohammed and its leadership.
Pressure on Jaish Leadership
The development comes at a time when Jaish-e-Mohammed has been under increasing pressure following Indian counter-terror operations.
In 2025, India carried out strikes on Jaish facilities in Bahawalpur under Operation Sindoor in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. The strikes reportedly caused significant damage to the group’s infrastructure and resulted in the deaths of several of Masood Azhar’s family members and close aides.
Jaish itself later acknowledged these losses indirectly, marking a rare admission of the impact of such operations on its leadership structure.
Jaish-e-Mohammed and Its Record
Jaish-e-Mohammed has been designated a terrorist organisation and has been linked to several major attacks in India, including the 2001 Parliament attack, the 2016 Pathankot airbase strike, the Uri attack, and the 2019 Pulwama bombing.
The group has long been a focus of counter-terror efforts due to its role in cross-border militancy and its leadership’s continued presence in Pakistan.
Security agencies are closely monitoring developments following Tahir Anwar’s death, especially given his proximity to Masood Azhar and his role within the organisation.
With no confirmed cause of death and limited official information, the circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear.