Pulwama fallout: Amid global pressure, Pak govt takes control of Jaish headquarters

Islamabad, Feb 22: The Pakistan government on Friday claimed that it has taken control of the jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) campus in Bahawalpur and appointed an administrator to manage its affairs.

The statement comes days after the Pulwama terror attack which led to the killing of 40 CRPF personnel where JeM had claimed responsibility.

The alleged move came a day after a crucial meeting of Pakistan's National Security Committee where it was decided to ban Jamatud Dawa (JuD) and Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation (FIF) charities that are fronts for Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT)- the masterminded the 2008 Mumbai attacks.

In a statement, the Pakistan government said, The Government of Punjab has taken over the control of a campus comprising Madressatul Sabir and Jama-e-Masjid Subhanallah in Bahawalpur.

The development has come a day after Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan banned 26/11 mastermind Hafiz Saeed-led Jamat-ut-Dawa (JuD), a decision taken in the National Security Committee (NSC) meeting to review the National Action Plan in detail.

According to the spokesperson, currently, 600 students are studying at the campus, which has a faculty of 70 teachers.

According to various reports, these seminaries operate as JeM's main base of operations. The mosque called Jamia Masjid Subhan Allah on Bahawalpur's outskirts, along National Highway 5, houses the new headquarters of Jaish-e-Mohammed. The place is just eight kilometres away from Bahawalpur's army cantonment, home to the headquarters of Pakistan's 31 Corps, an army unit of 30000 troops, reports AFP.

Bahawalpur is the birthplace of its JeM chief Masood Azhar.