Pakistan names Jaish chief Masood Azhar among most wanted terrorists, hikes bounty to PKR 70 lakh ahead of FATF review
Pakistan Names Jaish Chief Masood Azhar in Updated Terror List
Bharatmorningnews.com – Pakistan names Jaish chief Masood Azhar among its most wanted terrorism suspects in an updated Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Red Book, raising the reward for information leading to his capture to PKR 70 lakh. The bounty is higher than the PKR 20 lakh amount previously linked to information about Azhar.
The revised list was issued ahead of a Financial Action Task Force (FATF) plenary expected in October. FATF sets international standards for preventing money laundering and terrorist financing, and Pakistan is seeking to avoid renewed placement on its grey list.
Pakistan has maintained since 2021 that Azhar left the country for Afghanistan. That year, the FIA announced a PKR 50 lakh reward for information that could lead to his arrest. The latest Red Book increases that reward to PKR 70 lakh.
FIA list includes Mumbai attack-linked suspects
The FIA’s updated Red Book also names 19 people accused of roles linked to the November 2008 Mumbai attacks. The allegations include arranging funds, supporting operational logistics and facilitating boats used by the attackers.
Eleven Lashkar-e-Taiba-linked individuals are listed over alleged arrangements for the attackers’ sea journey aboard the Al-Hussaini and Al-Fauz boats. The names include Muhammad Amjad Khan, Shahid Gafoor, Mohammad Usman, Ateeq-ur-Rehman, Riaz Ahmad, Muhammad Mushtaq, Muhammad Naeem, Abdul Shakoor, Muhammad Sabir Salfi, another Muhammad Usman, and Shakeel Ahmed.
Six others are accused of providing funds for the 26/11 operation. Muhammad Iftikhar Ali of Faisalabad is accused of spending PKR 70,000 to establish Voice over Internet Protocol connections for contact between attackers and handlers. Mohammad Zia of Rawalpindi is accused of providing PKR 80,000 to Lashkar-e-Taiba.
The remaining funding allegations concern Mohammad Abbas Nasir, Javed Iqbal, Mukhtar Ahmad and Ahmed Saeed. They are accused of contributing amounts ranging from PKR 1,86,430 to PKR 21 lakh.
Why the listing matters ahead of FATF scrutiny
Pakistan names Jaish chief Masood Azhar at a time when visible action against terrorism financing and militant networks may face close international attention. Wanted notices can assist investigations, promote coordination between agencies and demonstrate that authorities are pursuing suspects identified in counterterrorism cases.
Azhar is among India’s most wanted terrorism suspects. Indian authorities have linked him to the 2001 Parliament attack, the 2008 Mumbai attacks, the 2016 Pathankot airbase attack and the 2019 Pulwama attack. His organisation, Jaish-e-Mohammed, has been associated with major militant attacks in India.
Azhar was released by India in 1999 during the exchange that secured the release of passengers held in the hijacking of Indian Airlines flight IC-814. He has also been designated a global terrorist by the United Nations, a status intended to support asset freezes, travel bans and arms restrictions.
India has repeatedly accused Pakistan of “feigning ignorance” about the presence of Azhar and Lashkar-e-Taiba chief Hafiz Saeed in the country.
Pakistan was removed from the FATF grey list in 2022 after completing action plans on money laundering and terrorist financing. A return to the list could increase scrutiny from international financial institutions, investors and business partners.
FAQ: Pakistan’s updated most-wanted list
What is the reward for information on Masood Azhar? The FIA’s updated Red Book sets the reward at PKR 70 lakh for information leading to his capture.
Why is Pakistan’s FATF review important? FATF assessments examine whether countries are effectively addressing money laundering and terrorist financing. A grey-list placement can increase financial and diplomatic pressure.
What does Pakistan names Jaish chief Masood Azhar mean? It means the FIA has included Azhar in its updated list of most wanted terrorism suspects and raised the publicly announced reward for information leading to his arrest.