An Indian journalist has reported the family of JeM chief Masood Azhar as saying that the most-wanted terrorist is "absolutely fine". This claim came hours after it was widely reported in India that Azhar has died of liver cancer.

As of now, confusion prevails over whether Azhar is alive or dead. Many in India have started believing that he was eliminated by the IAF airstrikes on February 26. Just to save face, his organization and the Pakistani deep state seems to be claiming that he died because of liver cancer.

On the other hand, some experts are saying that Azhar must be very much alive. Why then would some highly-placed sources in Pakistan claim that he is dead? Pakistan has been under gigantic pressure to deal with the JeM with an iron fist. If it's said that Azhar is dead, the pressure will go down. This is the hope of the Pakistani government.