Masood Azhar named global terrorist: How it will affect the JeM chief?

In a major diplomatic victory for India, Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) chief Masood Azhar has finally been listed as an international terrorist by the United Nation Security Council's (UNSC) 1267 committee. This became possible after China, one of the five permanent members of the UNSC, removed its hold on the listing of Azhar.

In the aftermath of the February 14 Pulwama terror attack that killed more 40 Indian security personnel, US along with France and UK had moved a proposal for listing of Masood Azhar. But on March 13, the day of the deadline for the listing of Azhar, China had put a hold, citing more time to understand the issue.

Azhar's JeM is responsible for Parliament, 2016 Pathankot and 2019 Pulwama attacks.

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Impact of UNSC listing

Now that Masood Azhar has been listed as a global terrorist, he will be put under a travel and arms embargo.

An assets freeze under the Sanctions Committee requires that all states freeze without delay the funds and other financial assets or economic resources of designated individuals and entities. The Jaish-e-Muhammad is already a proscribed organisation.

The travel ban entails preventing the entry into or transit by all states through their territories by designated individuals.

Under the arms embargo, all states are required to prevent the direct or indirect supply, sale and transfer from their territories or by their nationals outside their territories, or using their flag vessels or aircraft, of arms and related materiel of all types, spare parts, and technical advice, assistance, or training related to military activities, to designated individuals and entities.

Global support for listing of Masood Azhar

India has been, for a decade, trying to list Azhar as an international terrorist. It was in 2009 that New Delhi first hoped to list Azhar as a United Nations listed terrorist. It was a lone proposer back then. In 2016, India again proposed the listing and it was co-sponsored by UK, US, France but the proposal was blocked by China. The year 2017 saw the US, the UK and France moving the proposal but China blocked the move again. The move in February of 2019 saw global support with 14 out of 15 members of UNSC backing the move for the listing of Masood Azhar. The proposal was moved the US, the UK, France and co-sponsored by Australia, Bangladesh, Italy and Japan.

After the Chinese hold in March, France had announced it will be putting a freeze on the assets of Azhar and will raise the issue with the European Union. A joint release by French foreign, interior and finance ministries said, "We will raise this issue with our European partners with a view to including Masood Azhar on the European Union list of persons, groups and entities involved in terrorist acts, based on this decree."

Listing 20 years after hijacking of IC-814

The listing of Masood Azhar comes 20 years after he was released when Pakistan-based terrorist hijacked Indian Airlines Flight 814 and took it to Taliban controlled Kandahar. The motive of the hijack was to not only get the release of Azhar but also other terrorists. All the released terrorists found safe houses in Pakistan and in years to follow masterminded many terror attacks in India and the killing of South Asia Bureau Chief of The Wall Street Journal, Daniel Pearl.