Context:

Masood Azhar, leader of the Pakistan-based militant group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), reported that 10 of his family members were killed in an Indian missile strike on a mosque in Bahawalpur, Pakistan. The strike was part of India's response to a militant attack in Indian-administered Kashmir, which resulted in the death of 25 Indians and one Nepali. India accused Pakistan of supporting the militants, a charge Pakistan denies, and targeted what it claimed were terrorist sites, including JeM's headquarters. The attack caused significant destruction, and local residents expressed both anger and concern over Pakistan's potential response. The escalation in tensions between nuclear-armed India and Pakistan has led to urgent international calls for restraint and careful handling of the situation.

Dive Deeper:

• Masood Azhar, chief of Jaish-e-Mohammed, announced that 10 family members, including his sister, her husband, and several children, were killed in an Indian strike on a mosque in Bahawalpur.

• The strike was a reaction by India to a militant attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that killed 26 people, including Nepali and Indian nationals, which India attributed to Pakistan-backed militants.

• India conducted targeted strikes on sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, alleging they were used to plan and direct terrorist activities against India.

• Pakistan denied India's claims about the nature of the targeted sites and reported that six locations were hit, while mourning and anger were evident among local residents.

• JeM, associated with al Qaeda and the Taliban, has a history of being involved in significant attacks, including the 2001 Indian parliament attack, which it denies, and a 2019 bombing that killed 40 Indian paramilitary police.

• The recent escalation of hostilities has drawn international attention, with calls for restraint to avoid further conflict between the nuclear-armed neighbors.

• BBC Verify assessed video footage from the mosque, confirming significant structural damage, which has further fueled tensions and concerns over potential further military actions by Pakistan.