Pakistan14 September, 20262 min read
Pakistan Lists Masood Azhar as Fugitive, Raises JeM Bounty to PKR 70 Lakh
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Pakistan raises Masood Azhar bounty to PKR 70 lakh and designates him fugitive. Azhar added to Pakistan's Red Book of most-wanted terrorists ahead of FATF plenary.
6 outlets told this the same way.
Outlets did split on Passenger Train Derails Near Sher Shah Bridge In Punjab, Killing Four And Injuring 30 →
Bounty Raised Ahead of FATF
Pakistan raised the bounty on Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar to PKR 70 lakh and listed him as a fugitive in its latest Red Book of most wanted terrorists, according to news agency ANI reported on Monday. The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) increased the reward on Azhar by PKR 20 lakh, after initially announcing a PKR 50 lakh reward for information leading to his capture in 2021.
The move comes ahead of the Financial Action Task Force's plenary in October, as Pakistan seeks to avoid being placed back on the FATF gray list. Pakistan has claimed since 2021 that Azhar was no longer in the country and had fled to Afghanistan, while the FIA has now categorized him as a fugitive in its newly released Red Book.
FATF Pressure and Competing Claims
The Tribune said Indian intelligence sources indicated Azhar is hiding in Pakistan, adding that technical analysis by Indian intelligence agencies over the past six months reveals he is actively hiding in Nawabshah city within Pakistan’s Sindh province. The Tribune also framed Pakistan’s updated Red Book as an “eyewash,” saying Indian intelligence sources confirm that all 17 individuals remain inside Pakistan and that placing them on the FIA Most Wanted list is merely an eyewash to misdirect international scrutiny.
Business Today reported that Pakistan has since claimed Azhar fled to Afghanistan, while noting that multiple reports in the past have suggested Azhar remains in Pakistan despite the government’s repeated claims. Business Today further said the National Investigation Agency (NIA) lists Azhar as an absconding accused and records his address as Bahawalpur, Pakistan, and that an Interpol Red Corner Notice was issued against him in May 2016.
Red Book Updates and Stakes
Beyond Azhar, The Tribune said the FIA’s newly updated Red Book contains the names of 19 terrorists involved in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks who assisted, financed or managed boats for the operatives, and that Pakistan covertly removed the photographs, Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) affiliations and detailed operational roles of two terrorists. The Tribune specified that the FIA retains the name of Muhammad Khan from Turbat, who provided the boat Al-Hussaini to transport the attackers to Mumbai, while excising his photograph, LeT link and role.
The Tribune also said the updated roster lists 11 LeT terrorists responsible for facilitating the sea voyage of the attackers aboard the boats Al-Hussaini and Al-Fauz, and that the list features six terrorists who provided financial backing for the 26/11 attacks. Business Today tied the Pakistan move to international scrutiny by saying it comes ahead of the Financial Action Task Force's plenary in October, as Pakistan seeks to avoid being placed back on the FATF gray list.