Pakistan has included Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar in the latest edition of the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) Red Book of most-wanted high-profile terrorists. Pakistan’s latest move has marked a significant change in how its law enforcement machinery officially lists the UN-designated terrorist.
According to intelligence sources, Pakistan has also increased the bounty on Azhar by PKR 20 lakh, taking the total reward for information leading to his arrest to PKR 70 lakh.
The move comes amid heightened international scrutiny of Pakistan’s efforts to combat terrorism financing and dismantle militant networks. Sources told CNN-News18 that the decision to publicly list Azhar as an absconder and increase the bounty could help Islamabad
project greater compliance with international counterterrorism and anti-money laundering requirements.
Masood Azhar Operating From Pakistan: Indian Security Agencies
Azhar, the founder and chief of the UN-designated terrorist organisation JeM, has long been a major point of contention between India and Pakistan. Indian security agencies have maintained that he continues to operate from Pakistan, despite Islamabad’s position that he has fled to Afghanistan.
According to Indian technical intelligence cited by sources, Azhar is currently believed to be in Nawabshah, Sindh. The inclusion of Azhar in the FIA’s wanted list also comes against the backdrop of Pakistan’s repeated assertions that it is taking action against terrorist groups operating from its territory.
Sources, however, described the latest move as largely tactical and aimed at demonstrating action against high-profile fugitives without necessarily indicating a wider dismantling of the leadership structures and operational infrastructure of militant organisations.
The development comes as Pakistan continues to face scrutiny over terror financing and international law-enforcement cooperation. The latest listing therefore places Azhar, one of India’s most wanted terror figures, formally within Pakistan’s own wanted-person framework, even as questions remain over whether the designation will translate into concrete action against him.
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