‘Ghazwa-e-Hind’ Was the Name Asim Munir Gave to Op Sindoor: Jaish Commander’s Explosive Claim

In a startling revelation that strengthens India’s long-standing allegations against Pakistan, a senior commander of the banned terrorist organization Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) has claimed that Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir referred to India’s Operation Sindoor as “Ghazwa-e-Hind.” The term is widely used by extremist groups to describe a prophesied religious war aimed at establishing Islamic rule under Sharia law over the Indian subcontinent.

The claim was made by Ilyas Kashmiri during a gathering of Jaish-e-Mohammed cadres on February 5 in Rawalkot, located in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). According to intelligence inputs, the meeting was attended not only by seasoned operatives but also by newly recruited terrorists, underscoring continued radicalization and recruitment efforts within Pakistani territory.

Recalling the period when Operation Sindoor was underway, Kashmiri told his audience that the group’s “commander” had officially declared the conflict to be religious in nature. His speech suggested that the confrontation with India was not viewed merely as a military or strategic engagement, but as part of a broader ideological and religious struggle.

“Once the war started, weapons came out, fighter jets clashed, tanks stood face to face, and the commander declared that this is Ghazwat-ul-Hind, this is Bunyan Al Marsoos,” Kashmiri said. Repeating the statement in Urdu, he added, “Jab jang chhid gayi, asalha nikal aaya, tayyare takra gayin, tank aamne saamne khade ho gaye, sipahsalar ne ailan kar diya ki ye Ghazwat-ul-Hind hai, ye Bunyan Al Marsoos hai.”

By invoking phrases such as “Ghazwat-ul-Hind” and “Bunyan Al Marsoos,” Kashmiri explicitly framed the conflict as a divinely sanctioned battle, reinforcing the ideological narrative that militant groups have long used to justify violence against India.

The Jaish commander further reiterated the terror outfit’s core ideology, openly glorifying jihad. “Hamara naam, hamari pehchan, hamara motto jihad hai,” he declared, asserting that jihad defines the group’s identity and purpose. He went on to claim that there are two kinds of jihad—one carried out when the government supports it, and another when it does not—implying that the group’s activities continue regardless of official endorsement.

“Maqsad hai hamara jihad. Hum jihad karenge aur Kashmir ko azaad karwayenge,” Kashmiri said, translating to: “Jihad is our objective. We will wage jihad and free Kashmir.” The remarks leave little ambiguity about the group’s intentions and its ideological alignment.

The Rawalkot address is the latest in a series of public speeches by terror leaders operating freely from Pakistani soil, speeches that repeatedly highlight the close ideological and operational overlap between terrorist organizations and elements within Pakistan’s establishment.

In recent months, multiple individuals linked to UN-designated terrorist groups have used public platforms in Pakistan to openly glorify jihad and portray the conflict with India as a religious war. These speeches are often delivered before large gatherings, sometimes in the presence of armed cadres, raising serious questions about state tolerance and support.

India has consistently maintained that such open rhetoric exposes the extensive patronage networks available to terrorists across the border. New Delhi has pointed to the public presence of armed militants at rallies, funerals, and recruitment events as clear evidence of official complicity or, at the very least, deliberate inaction.

The issue gained renewed urgency following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack in April last year, in which 26 civilians were killed. In response, India launched a comprehensive counter-terrorism campaign aimed at dismantling militant infrastructure operating from across the border.

As part of this broader strategy, India initiated Operation Sindoor in May 2025. The operation targeted terrorist hubs located in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, focusing on launch pads, training camps, logistical bases, and command-and-control centers used to plan and direct attacks against Indian territory.

Indian officials have repeatedly emphasized that Operation Sindoor was a calibrated, intelligence-driven response designed to neutralize imminent threats rather than escalate conflict. However, statements such as those made by the Jaish commander reinforce New Delhi’s assertion that terrorism against India is not an isolated phenomenon but one intertwined with ideological endorsement and institutional support within Pakistan.

The latest revelations are likely to further complicate India-Pakistan relations and add weight to India’s diplomatic efforts to highlight Pakistan’s role in fostering cross-border terrorism on international platforms.