Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar, a notorious figure shielded by Pakistan, has reportedly confessed to a daring escape attempt during his incarceration in Jammu’s Kot Bhalwal jail. According to his account, Azhar and his accomplices meticulously dug a tunnel beneath the high-security facility, with freedom just days away. However, Indian intelligence uncovered the elaborate plan mere hours before the planned escape, thwarting the jailbreak.
Following the discovery, Azhar claims he and his associates faced severe punishment, including denial of food and restricted access to facilities, aimed at breaking them mentally and physically. He described harsh interrogation sessions where he was verbally abused and repeatedly questioned about the origin of the digging tools. The psychological impact of this ordeal, he admitted, continues to haunt him.
Azhar’s journey into terrorism began when he entered India in 1994 on a forged passport with the intent to recruit militants. His arrest in Anantnag that year led to a five-year prison sentence, during which the tunnel escape was planned. His freedom, however, was secured in December 1999 when Indian Airlines flight IC-814 was hijacked, and he was released along with two other terrorists in exchange for the hostages. Shortly after his release, Azhar founded the Jaish-e-Mohammed, an organization responsible for numerous deadly attacks in India, including the 2001 Parliament assault and the 2019 Pulwama bombing. Despite being one of India’s most wanted terrorists, Azhar remains protected by the Pakistani establishment.