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Pakistan's Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has released its updated list of most wanted terrorists for 2026, with Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar named in the agency's Red Book.
The bounty on Azhar has been increased from PKR 20 lakh to PKR 70 lakh, according to ANI. The move comes before the FATF plenary in October, amid efforts to stay off the organisation's grey list.
Masood Azhar's whereabouts questioned
Pakistan has maintained since 2021 that Azhar is no longer in the country and fled to Afghanistan. The FIA initially announced a PKR 50 lakh reward for him that year, with the amount now increased to PKR 70 lakh.
Technical analysis carried out by Indian intelligence agencies over the past six months indicated that Azhar was hiding in Nawabshah city in Pakistan's Sindh province, according to reports. Azhar has been accused of masterminding several terrorist attacks, including the 2019 Pulwama attack, in India.
26/11 accused also named in FIA Red Book
The FIA's updated Red Book also includes the names of 19 individuals accused of involvement in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, including those alleged to have assisted with financing and arranging boats for the attackers.
Sources said 17 of the individuals were listed along with photographs and details of their alleged roles. However, photographs, Lashkar-e-Taiba affiliations and specific operational details of two individuals were reportedly removed from the updated list.
Sources also questioned Pakistan's claim that several of the accused have been absconding for years, alleging that intelligence inputs indicated they remain inside the country.
Number of most wanted rises
The latest FIA list contains 1,804 most wanted terrorists, compared with 1,330 names in the agency's 2021 Red Book, marking an increase of about 35% over five years.
JeM headquarters hit during Operation Sindoor
The development also comes months after India's precision strikes under Operation Sindoor targeted the Jaish-e-Mohammed headquarters at Markaz Subhan Allah in Bahawalpur.
Operational since 2015, the facility has been a key centre for JeM's training, indoctrination and operational activities. The site was linked to terrorist planning, including the Pulwama attack.
Also read: Pakistan backs Saudi Arabia after Houthi attacks
The bounty on Azhar has been increased from PKR 20 lakh to PKR 70 lakh, according to ANI. The move comes before the FATF plenary in October, amid efforts to stay off the organisation's grey list.
Masood Azhar's whereabouts questioned
Pakistan has maintained since 2021 that Azhar is no longer in the country and fled to Afghanistan. The FIA initially announced a PKR 50 lakh reward for him that year, with the amount now increased to PKR 70 lakh.
Technical analysis carried out by Indian intelligence agencies over the past six months indicated that Azhar was hiding in Nawabshah city in Pakistan's Sindh province, according to reports. Azhar has been accused of masterminding several terrorist attacks, including the 2019 Pulwama attack, in India.
In
a bid to mislead the global community once again, Pakistan has announced a reward of PKR 70 lakh on Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar. In its newly released Red Book of most wanted terrorists, Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has categorized Masood Azhar… pic.twitter.com/GwaFNtbjYb
— ANI (@ANI) September 14, 2026
26/11 accused also named in FIA Red Book
The FIA's updated Red Book also includes the names of 19 individuals accused of involvement in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, including those alleged to have assisted with financing and arranging boats for the attackers.
Sources said 17 of the individuals were listed along with photographs and details of their alleged roles. However, photographs, Lashkar-e-Taiba affiliations and specific operational details of two individuals were reportedly removed from the updated list.
Sources also questioned Pakistan's claim that several of the accused have been absconding for years, alleging that intelligence inputs indicated they remain inside the country.
Number of most wanted rises
The latest FIA list contains 1,804 most wanted terrorists, compared with 1,330 names in the agency's 2021 Red Book, marking an increase of about 35% over five years.
JeM headquarters hit during Operation Sindoor
The development also comes months after India's precision strikes under Operation Sindoor targeted the Jaish-e-Mohammed headquarters at Markaz Subhan Allah in Bahawalpur.
Operational since 2015, the facility has been a key centre for JeM's training, indoctrination and operational activities. The site was linked to terrorist planning, including the Pulwama attack.
Also read: Pakistan backs Saudi Arabia after Houthi attacks
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