Viral audio allegedly shows JeM leader admitting Pakistan Army-ISI role in 2016 Pathankot Airbase attack. Photos: X.
The haunting memories of the Pathankot Airbase attack that Pakistan-backed terrorists carried out in 2016 are still fresh among the Indians. A lot has changed between India and Pakistan since then. India has since carried out many strikes, including the recent Operation Sindoor.
As the wounds of the ghastly attack are still fresh, an audio clip featuring Talha al Saif, believed to be a senior figure in the Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed, has surfaced on social media. In the viral audio, the Deputy Chief of Jaish-e-Mohammed is allegedly heard admitting that Pakistan’s military establishment played a role in the Pathankot Airbase attack.
However, the authenticity of the audio clip could not be independently verified by NewsX.
The viral clip circulating online allegedly claims that the Pakistan Army and Inter-Services Intelligence were directly involved in orchestrating the 2016 terror attack on the Pathankot Airbase.
According to the alleged remarks in the recording, the planning and logistical support for the four Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists who carried out the attack were provided by the ISI in coordination with the Pakistan Army.
On January 2, 2016, Pakistan-backed terrorists attacked the Pathankot Airbase, a critical installation of Western Air Command. The attackers were affiliated with the United Jihad Council, a coalition of Pakistan-based militant groups.
The attack triggered a prolonged counter-operation by security forces. The initial confrontation led to a fierce gun battle that lasted nearly 17 hours, followed by an extensive combing operation.
During the encounter, five terrorists were killed along with three security personnel. In the days that followed, the death toll rose further as several soldiers succumbed to injuries sustained during the operation, bringing the total number of security personnel killed to six.
In a separate development related to the Jaish-e-Mohammed network, Mohammad Tahir Anwar, the brother of JeM chief Masood Azhar, has reportedly died in Pakistan.
There is no clarity yet regarding the cause of his death.
Tahir Anwar had long been associated with Jaish-e-Mohammed and was reportedly involved in the organisation’s activities for several years. News of his death was announced through the terror group’s Telegram channel.
Zubair Amin is a Senior Journalist at NewsX with over seven years of experience in reporting and editorial work. He has written for leading national and international publications, including Foreign Policy Magazine, Al Jazeera, The Economic Times, The Indian Express, The Wire, Article 14, Mongabay, News9, among others. His primary focus is on international affairs, with a strong interest in US politics and policy. He also writes on West Asia, Indian polity, and constitutional issues. Zubair tweets at zubaiyr.amin
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