- India’s Stance: India has reiterated its demand for Pakistan to act decisively against Masood Azhar, leader of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), citing his role in promoting terrorism.
- Recent Developments: Azhar, designated a “global terrorist” by the United Nations in 2019, reportedly made a public speech in Bahawalpur, Pakistan, undermining Pakistan’s claims that he is in Afghanistan.
- Historical Context: Azhar masterminded multiple terror attacks, including the 2001 Indian Parliament attack and the 2019 Pulwama bombing.
Why does Pakistan deny harboring Azhar?
Despite overwhelming evidence, Pakistan claims Azhar is not within its borders, attributing his location to Afghanistan. However, his alleged public appearances in Pakistan challenge these assertions, exposing what India calls Pakistan’s “duplicity” in combating terrorism.
The bigger picture:
India’s call for action against Azhar aligns with its broader counterterrorism strategy, which includes international pressure on Pakistan to dismantle terror networks operating with state support.
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