Terrorist Masood Azhar’s elder brother Tahir Anwar dies under suspicious circumstances, stir in Pakistan

Islamabad, March 31. Mohammad Tahir Anwar, elder brother of notorious terrorist Masood Azhar, chief of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), has died under suspicious circumstances in Bahawalpur, Pakistan. The cause of death is not yet clear, due to which there is a stir within the terrorist organization. According to Indian intelligence sources and media reports, Tahir Anwar died in Bahawalpur. The official channel of Jaish-e-Mohammed has confirmed the death.

His funeral prayer was performed at Jamia Masjid Usman Wali in Bahawalpur on Monday night. No official cause of death has been given by Pakistani authorities – there is no mention of illness, nor any other obvious cause. Some reports also say that an unknown woman pricked her back with a pin while returning from Namaz, but this has not been confirmed yet. Overall the whole matter remains mysterious.

• Who was Tahir Anwar?

Mohammad Tahir Anwar was the elder brother of Masood Azhar and played an active role in Jaish-e-Mohammed for a long time. He was associated with the internal structure of the organization and was considered involved in many anti-India activities. Jaish-e-Mohammed has been accused of several major terrorist attacks in India – such as the Parliament attack and the Uri army camp attack. Tahir Anwar’s death is being considered a major blow to Masood Azhar and the entire Jaish network, especially when the organization is already facing international pressure and operational setbacks.

• Panic in Pakistan

The news of the death has intensified the discussion in Pakistani terrorist circles. Till now no clear statement has come from Pakistan government or security agencies. Some analysts are fearing internal strife or targeted action. This incident has come in the days when Masood Azhar and Jaish-e-Mohammed are already in the eyes of India and the international community. The further picture will become clear once the true cause of death is revealed.