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Masood Azhar Bounty: Islamabad. Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency i.e. FIA has again declared Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar a fugitive in its new Red Book. The agency has increased the reward announced on him to Pakistani rupees 70 lakh. In the year 2021, FIA had declared Azhar a fugitive and had kept a reward of Rs 50 lakh. Now after about five years, the reward amount has been increased. This step has been taken before the FATF meeting to be held in October. In such a situation, this action is being linked to international pressure and Pakistan’s anti-terrorism image.

Accused in Parliament and several terrorist attacks

Masood Azhar has been an accused in many major terrorist cases in India. These include the Parliament attack of 13 December 2001, the Pathankot airbase attack of 2 January 2016 and the Pulwama attack of 14 February 2019. Nine security personnel and one employee were killed in the Parliament attack.

7 security personnel were martyred in the Pathankot attack. There was a suicide attack on CRPF convoy in Pulwama, in which 40 soldiers were martyred. Indian investigative agencies have investigated the role of Jaish-e-Mohammed and Masood Azhar in these cases.

Released after Kandahar plane hijack

Masood Azhar was released from jail in India after the 1999 Kandahar plane hijacking. On December 24, 1999, Indian Airlines flight IC-814 was hijacked from Kathmandu to Delhi. The plane was taken to Kandahar via Amritsar, Lahore and Dubai. At that time Azhar was lodged in an Indian jail.

He was associated with Harkat-ul-Ansar and was arrested from Jammu and Kashmir in 1994. The kidnappers demanded his release. On 31 December 1999, India released Masood Azhar, Ahmed Omar Saeed Shaikh and Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar. Instead, the passengers and crew present on the plane were released.

Created Jaish-e-Mohammed after coming out of jail

According to UN Security Council records, Masood Azhar founded Jaish-e-Mohammed in 1999 after his release from prison in India. After this this organization joined the major terrorist organizations operating against India.

Jaish-e-Mohammed has been listed as a terrorist organization by many countries and organizations including India, America and the United Nations. Masood Azhar is considered the founder and head of the organization.

Reached India for the first time in 1994

Masood Azhar first reached Delhi from Dhaka on 29 January 1994 by plane from Bangladesh. After this he entered Srinagar with fake identity. It was told that its objective was to reduce tension between Harkat-ul-Jihad al-Islami and Harkat-ul-Mujahideen.

Meanwhile, India arrested him from Anantnag on charges to terrorist activities. At the time of his arrest, he had also given anti-India statements regarding Kashmir and claimed the arrival of terrorists.

Kidnapping of foreign tourists in 1995

About one and a half years after Azhar’s arrest, in July 1995, six foreign tourists were kidnapped in Jammu and Kashmir. The kidnappers had demanded the release of Masood Azhar from jail in exchange for the release of the tourists.

In August 1995, two tourists managed to escape from kidnappers. However, no clear information could be obtained about the remaining hostages later. This case was also included in the popular cases to the demand for the release of Masood Azhar.

What was the allegation in the Parliament attack?

There was a terrorist attack on the Indian Parliament on 13 December 2001. 9 security personnel and one employee were killed in this attack. The role of Jaish-e-Mohammed was revealed in the investigation. Masood Azhar was charged with conspiracy to attack and his role in the organization. This case was investigated by Delhi Police. After the Parliament attack, there was a big change in the security arrangements and action against terrorist organizations in India.

Name also came up in Pathankot attack

On January 2, 2016, there was a terrorist attack on Pathankot airbase. The role of terrorists associated with Jaish-e-Mohammed was revealed in the attack. 7 security personnel were martyred in this incident. Masood Azhar was accused of conspiring to attack and giving instructions to terrorists. The case was investigated by the National Investigation Agency i.e. NIA. Even after the Pathankot attack, the investigation into Jaish-e-Mohammed and its leadership progressed.

Also accused in Pulwama attack

On 14 February 2019, there was a suicide attack on a CRPF convoy in Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir. 40 soldiers were martyred in this attack. India had blamed Jaish-e-Mohammed for the attack. Masood Azhar was accused of being involved in the attack conspiracy through the organization. NIA also investigated this case. After the Pulwama attack, tension between India and Pakistan had increased significantly.

Why is action important before FATF meeting?

The timing of increasing the reward on Masood Azhar is considered important because FATF meeting is proposed in October. Pakistan has previously been in the gray list of FATF. During that time, there was international pressure on the country to take concrete action against terrorist funding and money laundering.

In October 2022, FATF had removed Pakistan from the gray list. Now before the new meeting, showing action against a terrorist like Masood Azhar can be important for Pakistan at the international level.

What is the effect of going on gray list?

When included in FATF’s gray list, monitoring of a country’s financial system increases. Scrutiny of international transactions of banks and companies may become more stringent. Additional steps have to be taken to stop money reaching terrorist organizations.

This may also affect investor confidence. There may be difficulties in new foreign investment. Getting loans or financial help from international organizations and other countries can also be challenging. To come out of the gray list, it is necessary to fulfill the conditions set by FATF.

What is FATF?

FATF i.e. Financial Action Task Force is an international organization working to prevent terrorist funding and money laundering. It reviews the financial system and actions of different countries. If deficiencies are found, a country can be kept in the gray list.

Pakistan came in the gray list in 2018 and came out of it in 2022. The next Plenary meeting of FATF is going to be held in the year 2026. For this reason, international attention is being kept on Pakistan’s new action.

In 2021, Pakistan had said- Azhar fled to Afghanistan

Pakistan had claimed in 2021 that Masood Azhar is not present in its country and he has fled to Afghanistan. In the same year, FIA had declared him a fugitive in its Red Book and had given him a reward of 50 lakh Pakistani rupees.

Now his name has again been included in the new Red Book and the reward has been increased to Rs 70 lakh. However, different claims have been coming forward regarding the current whereabouts of Masood Azhar.

Family members died in Operation Sindoor

After the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 against terrorist hideouts in Pakistan and Pakistan occupied areas. According to available reports, 10 members of Masood Azhar’s family were killed in the action in Bahawalpur.

These were said to include his elder sister and her husband, nephew and his wife, a niece and her five children. Apart from this, information about the death of four of his associates also came to light. Masood Azhar was not present there at the time of the attack, hence he survived.

Azhar’s statement after the death of his family

According to reports, Masood Azhar had issued a statement after the death of family members. In this he had said that if he too had been killed, it would have been a matter of good fortune for him.