ISI Uses ‘America Card’ to Lure Terror Chiefs Azhar and Saeed Back Into Action

New Delhi — Pakistan’s intelligence agency, the ISI, along with the Pakistan Army, is reportedly attempting to exploit its improved ties with the United States to coax key terror leaders Masood Azhar and Hafiz Saeed out of hiding and reignite militant operations against India.

According to intelligence sources, several terror outfits, including Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), had gone silent following Operation Sindoor, during which Indian forces dealt significant blows to their networks — destroying headquarters, training camps, and logistics hubs.

In the aftermath of the operation, Azhar and Saeed were said to have remained confined indoors, fearing targeted strikes or internal threats. Their prolonged absence led to confusion and low morale within their cadres. Both leaders reportedly expressed frustration with the ISI and Pakistan Army for failing to safeguard their operatives and infrastructure.

Operation Sindoor, officials said, had a profound psychological impact not just on Pakistan’s security establishment but also on the terror ecosystem. The operation’s precision and surprise element left Islamabad “completely blindsided.”

Now, in what appears to be a damage-control effort, the ISI is pushing for the re-emergence of these leaders. The agency has been circulating old videos of Azhar and Saeed to maintain the illusion of normalcy within their organizations, but with cadres growing suspicious, the ISI has moved to assure both men of safety.

Sources claim the ISI told them that “Pakistan’s strong ties with the US” would act as a shield, arguing that India would hesitate to launch any major offensive out of concern for American involvement. Both Azhar and Saeed were briefed at their military-protected residences in Lahore, and while both have tentatively agreed, only Azhar has appeared publicly so far.

JeM’s communication channels have since reactivated, with Azhar issuing anti-India messages calling for renewed militancy in Jammu and Kashmir. Reports also indicate that JeM is working to establish a women’s wing, to be headed by Azhar’s sister, Sadiya Azhar.

However, Indian security officials have dismissed ISI’s assurances as “hollow promises,” emphasizing that India will respond decisively to any cross-border provocation. “Any act of terror will be treated as an act of war,” one official stated, underscoring India’s right to defend itself while maintaining its non-aggressive stance.

Meanwhile, Indian intelligence and armed forces remain on high alert, monitoring both the border areas and domestic terror modules. Officials estimate that around 80 terrorists are currently stationed at launch pads in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), awaiting infiltration attempts. Recent months have seen multiple bids thwarted by Indian forces.

Security agencies warn that the potential reactivation of Azhar and Saeed could serve as a major morale booster for militants across the border, necessitating heightened vigilance in the coming weeks.

With inputs from IANS