The chief of Jaish-e-Mohammed, Masood Azhar, traditionally delivers a message before Eid-ul-Fitr. However, this year, his tone in the audio message appeared weak and subdued, raising alarms within Indian agencies. There are indications of internal turmoil within the group, possibly due to Azhar’s deteriorating health, prompting discussions about a leadership change.
Amid concerns about the outfit’s effectiveness, Lashkar-e-Taiba has been more active recently, engaging with Hamas members while Jaish-e-Mohammed remains relatively quiet. The absence of strong leadership has led to a shift in the behavior of outfit members, with Lashkar operatives showing more activity than Jaish members, particularly in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
Speculation surrounds the potential replacement of Azhar, with debates between appointing a family member for unity or an experienced operational leader for effectiveness. Names like Abdul Jabbar and Abdullah Azhar have been considered, while the fate of Azhar’s brother, Abdul Rauf, remains uncertain. The situation suggests an imminent leadership change within Jaish-e-Mohammed, driven by the need for stability and operational efficiency.
