India Slams Pakistan’s ‘Duplicity,’ Seeks Global Action Against Masood Azhar

India has urged Pakistan to take decisive measures against Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) leader Masood Azhar. This call follows reports of Azhar speaking at a public event in Bahawalpur, Pakistan. New Delhi stated that if these reports are accurate, they reveal Pakistan's contradictory stance, as it has claimed Azhar is not within its borders.

Azhar, identified as the mastermind behind the 2019 Pulwama attack, was labelled a global terrorist by the UN Security Council that same year. "We demand that strong action be taken against him, that he is brought to justice," said Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal during his weekly media briefing. His comments came in response to questions about Azhar's reported speech in Bahawalpur last month.

Pakistan's Denial and India's Concerns

Jaiswal also highlighted Pakistan's ongoing denial regarding Azhar's presence in the country. He noted that if reports of Azhar's location are true, it exposes Pakistan's duplicity. "There has been denial that he is not there in Pakistan," Jaiswal remarked. India insists on strong action against Azhar due to his involvement in cross-border terrorism.

In 2022, Bilawal Bhutto, then Pakistan's foreign minister, reportedly claimed Azhar had fled to Afghanistan. India had previously released Azhar in 1999 during a hostage exchange for Indian Airlines Flight 814 passengers. In his recent speech, Azhar allegedly criticised rulers for lacking faith in Allah and jihad, attributing defeats in Kashmir and other regions to this.

Azhar's History of Terror Activities

Azhar is also believed to have orchestrated the 2001 Parliament attack and the 2016 Pathankot strikes. Over recent years, India has consistently urged Pakistan to take firm action against the JeM chief. These demands stem from his continued involvement in terror activities targeting India.

The situation underscores ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan over terrorism issues. India's call for action against Azhar reflects its broader concerns about cross-border terrorism and regional security threats.