Islamabad has announced a higher cash reward of Rs 24 lakh for information leading to Jaish-e-Mohammed founder Masood Azhar, 58, who is linked to major terror attacks targeting India.
Azhar has been accused of masterminding multiple incidents over the past two decades, including the 2001 Indian Parliament attack, the 2008 Mumbai attacks, the 2016 Pathankot airbase attack and the 2019 Pulwama bombing. The UN Security Council has designated him an international terrorist.
India has repeatedly sought Azhar’s handover since the 2001 Parliament attack. Pakistan has maintained that he is not in the country and has claimed he is in Afghanistan, a position that Afghan authorities have denied.
In 2021, Pakistan’s intelligence wing declared Azhar a wanted man and announced a reward of Rs 17.20 lakh for information. The latest notice raises the amount to Rs 24 lakh.
The move is being seen as an attempt to ease international pressure and avoid potential economic fallout, including the risk of being placed on the FATF “grey list,” according to reports.
