‘Pak’s Weapons Directed Towards Delhi’: JeM Audio ‘Intimidation Tactic’, Say Sources | Exclusive

Last Updated:November 11, 2025, 12:02 IST

In the audio, which has not been independently verified by CNN-News18, Pakistan’s JeM deputy chief Abdul Rauf Azhar is heard speaking against India

Pakistan’s Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) deputy chief Abdul Rauf Azhar. (News18 File)

Pakistan’s Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) deputy chief Abdul Rauf Azhar, in an audio exclusively obtained by CNN-News18, has threatened India, saying the defence spending won’t help. Indian intelligence sources, however, has termed it a “technique to intimidate". Azhar was earlier believed to have been killed in Operation Sindoor.

In the audio, which has not been independently verified by CNN-News18, Azhar, who is also known as Rauf Asghar and Abdul Rauf Asghar, is heard speaking against the Indian government. “We have already bought the weapons and they are directed towards Delhi. Your defence spending won’t help," the brother of JeM chief Masood Azhar is heard saying in the audio.

This comes in the backdrop of the explosion near Delhi’s Red Fort on Monday evening. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said, “Those responsible will not be spared under any circumstances…"

What intelligence sources say

The JeM has a documented history of carrying out high-impact strikes inside India such as Parliament attack, Pathankot and Pulwama. The JeM leadership and operational cadres have been active targets in recent Indian operations

“The combination of threat, claimed capability and political messaging is a technique to intimidate," sources said.

Who is Abdul Rauf Azhar or Rauf Asghar?

Abdul Rauf Azhar, also known as Mufti Abdul Rauf Asghar, was born in Bahawalpur in Pakistan’s Punjab province. While overshadowed publicly by his brother Masood Azhar, Rauf was no mere foot soldier. Abdul Rauf Azhar is accused of carrying out several terror attacks on India.

He is the operational brain behind JeM, often acting as its de facto chief during Masood Azhar’s absences. Unlike his more visible brother, Azhar avoids the limelight. He is known for overseeing the group’s operations through front organisations, sustained fundraising efforts, and coordinated recruitment drives.

He belongs to the Deobandi school of Sunni Islam, which heavily influenced JeM’s ideological underpinnings and outreach efforts across South Asia.

Azhar’s role in attacks in India

Abdul Rauf Azhar was actively involved in terrorist attacks on India such as:

IC-814 Hijacking (1999): He was central to planning the hijack of Indian Airlines Flight IC-814 from Kathmandu to Kandahar. The hostage crisis led to the release of Masood Azhar, who went and formed JeM after.

Indian Parliament Attack (2001): The attack was allegedly planned with Lashkar-e-Taiba in coordination with Rauf Azhar’s operatives.

Ayodhya Temple Attack (2005): A strike was carried out on the makeshift Ram temple site.

Indian Army camp in Kathua (2014): He is believed to have played a key role on the attack on an Indian Army camp in Kathua.

Pathankot Airbase Attack (2016): He is believed to have supervised the infiltration and planning behind the Pathankot assault, which involved six heavily armed Pakistani terrorists breaching a critical military facility.

Pulwama Attack (2019): Azhar has been named in the chargesheet of the 2019 Pulwama attack in which 42 CRPF personnel died along with his brother Masood Azhar.

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