Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) chief Maulana Masood Azhar, the mastermind behind the 2001 Indian Parliament attack and the 2019 Pulwama attack, has reportedly delivered his first public address in over 20 years, reported ThePrint citing an online digital forum operated by Pakistan-based terrorist organisation.

Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) chief Maulana Masood Azhar, the mastermind behind the 2001 Indian Parliament attack and the 2019 Pulwama attack, has reportedly delivered his first public address in over 20 years, reported ThePrint citing an online digital forum operated by Pakistan-based terrorist organisation. In the speech, Azhar vowed to renew jihadist operations targeting India and Israel to establish a global Islamic order. JeM has not disclosed the timing or location of the address, as per the report. In the speech, Azhar said, “India, your death is coming.” “Fearful rulers who do not believe in the word of Allah and jihad have led us to defeat in Kashmir, Palestine, and other Muslim lands,” Azhar said as per report. “They say nothing can change, and America will rule the world,” he added. “Three hundred and nine years may pass before things change, according to the Quran,” the JeM chief said. “God may will that things change only after a thousand years, and sometimes in minutes,” he added. Also read: Pakistan former PM Imran Khan indicted in May 9 GHQ attack case “I am ashamed that a weakling like (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi challenges us, or a mouse-like (Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu dances on our graves,” he said, as per ThePrint report. “Tell me, are there not even 300 people who can fight to reclaim my Babri Masjid?” he added. “We will send you all to Kashmir with such powerful guns that all the television anchors will quiver…, and ask where these weapons have come from,” Azhar said. An Indian intelligence officer familiar with JeM told ThePrint that the address likely happened last month at the 1,000-acre Umm-ul-Qura seminary and mosque complex near Bahawalpur, Pakistan. A timeline of Masood Azhar and his JeM activities Release of Masood Azhar and foundation of Jaish-e-Muhammad Masood Azhar was released by India in 1999 as part of a hostage exchange during the IC-814 hijacking. The flight, carrying 154 passengers from Kathmandu to New Delhi, was hijacked by five terrorists, who demanded the release of three high-profile prisoners: Masood Azhar, Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh, and Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar. Azhar had been in Indian custody since 1994. Shortly after his release, Azhar founded Jaish-e-Muhammad. 2001 Parliament attack and its aftermath Soon after JeM was founded, it was linked to two major attacks on India in 2001. In October that year, JeM carried out a suicide bombing at the Jammu and Kashmir legislative assembly in Srinagar, killing over 30 people. The Indian Parliament was attacked on 13 December 2001 by militants from Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Muhammad, leaving nine dead and 18 injured. Following the Parliament attack, Pakistan banned JeM due to international pressure, and Azhar was taken into custody on 29 December 2001. However, he was released in December 2002 by a Lahore High Court review board, as per the South Asia Terrorism Portal. Despite being banned by the United Nations and Pakistani authorities, JeM continued operations. Following a 2006 attack in Srinagar, the group faded from media attention, although Azhar continued to deliver sermons to motivate jihadists. Pathankot attack On 1 January 2016, four JeM militants armed with Kalashnikov rifles and grenades attacked an airbase in Pathankot, Punjab, near the Pakistani border, killing seven Indian personnel. Pulwama attack After the Pathankot attack, JeM claimed responsibility for the 14 February 2019 suicide bombing in Kashmir, which killed at least 46 soldiers. This was the deadliest attack on Indian forces in the region since 1989. Days later, India responded with airstrikes inside Pakistan. In a speech on 16 February, two days after the Pulwama bombing, Azhar warned that if India did not relinquish control of Kashmir, jihad would engulf the entire country. After Pulwama Following the Pulwama attack, Pakistan claimed to have seized Azhar’s compound in Bahawalpur. However, as per media reports JeM has since expanded the facilities in the area. As per a report in The Diplomat, Pakistan had taken Azhar into custody during investigations into the Pulwama attack. In February 2020, ahead of a plenary meeting of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), a global body monitoring money laundering and terror financing, Pakistan informed the organisation that Azhar and his family had gone missing. According to an India Today report from 1 September 2021, Azhar congratulated the Taliban on their takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021, describing it as a major victory for regional jihadist groups. In 2022, Pakistan's then-Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto revealed that Azhar had escaped to Afghanistan, just before Pakistani authorities were set to declare him a proclaimed offender. In early 2022, Pakistan raised concerns with the Taliban about Azhar’s presence in Afghanistan, urging his arrest and extradition, as per the Diplomat report. The Taliban denied these claims, adding that Azhar is a Pakistani national and could not possibly be in Afghanistan. Although Pakistan still claims that Azhar is in Afghanistan, an India Today exclusive report dated 17 July 2024 reported that Azhar is freely moving around in Pakistan and has even attended several weddings. (With inputs from agencies)

Pulwama attack mastermind Masood Azhar makes first address in 20 years, vows to renew operations against India

Terrorist Mohammed Masood Azhar Alvi, who is responsible for multiple attacks in India, recently gained media attention when claims and counterclaims regarding his whereabouts were made.

Terrorist Mohammed Masood Azhar Alvi, who is responsible for multiple attacks in India, recently gained media attention when claims and counterclaims regarding his whereabouts were made. Pakistan claimed that Masood Azhar is in the neighbouring country Afghanistan. Kabul denied the claims, saying such organisations can operate on Pakistan's soil, even under "official patronage". India's most-wanted, Masood Azhar is one of the most dreaded terrorists in the world. He is the founder and leader of the Pakistan-based terrorist organisation Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). JeM is responsible for multiple deadly attacks in India, including the attack on the Indian Parliament in December 2001. The impact of the attack was massive, it had brought India and Pakistan to the brink of a full-scale war. Some reports say Azhar was born in Bahawalpur, Punjab, Pakistan on July 10, 1968, some reports say he was born on August 7, 1968. Accounts of his early life depend on claims and reports. Masood Azhar was the third of 11 children, six daughters and five sons. His father, Allah Bakhsh Shabbir, is said to be a headmaster at a government-run school. ALSO READ | Pakistan and Afghanistan's farce over Masood Azhar. Concerning, but amusing After dropping out of mainstream school after class 8th, Azhar graduated in 1989 from the Jamia Uloom Islamic school. It is said that the madrasa was heavily involved with Harkat-ul-Ansar, an Islamic militant group. As per reports, Azhar was enrolled on a jihad-training camp in Afghanistan. The JeM chief had joined the Soviet-Afghan War and retired after suffering injuries. He was appointed to Harkat's department of motivation as the head. Reports related to his early life showed signs of where his life was actually heading. 'The man who brought jihad to Britain' To raise funds and spread the message of 'Islamism', Azhar visited many countries like Zambia, Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia, Mongolia, the United Kingdom and Albania after becoming the general secretary of Harkat-ul-Ansar. His activities in Britain are quite elaborate. Azhar entered the UK in 1993 with the main objectives of raising funds and recruiting. He has given the message of jihad at some of the most prestigious Islamic institutions including the Darul Uloom Bury seminary, Zakariya Mosque, Madina Masjid in Blackburn and Burnley, and Jamia Masjid. In 2016, BBC published a research-based opinion labelling him as a man who "brought jihad to Britain". In Britain, Azhar made contacts that eventually helped to provide training and logistical support for many terror plots. Was arrested in India, but later released Azhar was arrested by Indian authorities in 1994 from Khanabal near Anantnag. The investigation was underway and he was jailed for his terrorist activities with the groups. But in a dramatic turn of events, the authorities had to release Azhar. He is one of the terrorists freed by India in exchange for passengers of a hijacked plane of Indian Airlines in 1999. Jaish-e-Mohammed The establishment of this new terror outfit, Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), was planned by Azhar. If reports are to be believed, he had received help from Pakistan's premier intelligence agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Osama bin Laden, the Taliban, and several other extremist groups. He is responsible for many deadly attacks in India, including the attack on the Indian parliament in December 2001. The Pakistan-based terrorist organisation was also linked to the 2008 Mumbai attacks. The Pathankot attack on an Indian air base in 2016 was reportedly masterminded by Masood Azhar and his brother. He also perpetrated the Pulwama attack in 2019, in which India's 44 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were killed. After the attack, some countries including, France, the United Kingdom and the United States moved a proposal to UN Security Council to ban him. Why did China 'save' Azhar? India and some other Western countries were trying to nab this terrorist, but China appeared to have some other intentions. A UN Security Council Sanctions Committee listing Azhar as a terrorist was blocked by the Chinese government. China cited 'lack of evidence' when attempts were made by UNSC. There have been four attempts to put Azhar on the agency's counter-terrorism sanctions list, but every time China vetoed it. However, in 2019, China pulled the blockade. It resulted in the listing of Masood Azhar as a global terrorist by the Al Qaeda and Taliban Sanctions Committee. This UN-designated terrorist walks free as two nations continue the diplomatic spat over its whereabouts. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

JeM chief Masood Azhar: India's most wanted, and the 'man who brought jihad to Britain'

Indian authorities had no option but to free terrorist Mohammed Masood Azhar Alvi when terrorists hijacked an Indian Airlines plane in 1999 and demanded his release in exchange for passengers. Azhar, chief of the terrorist organisation Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), has been linked to many terrorist attacks, including some in India since his release.&nbsp;

After he walked free, he made a public address to an estimated 10,000 people in Karachi. He said, "I have come here because this is my duty to tell you that Muslims should not rest in peace until we have destroyed India."&nbsp;

JeM's chief Azhar was responsible for the attack on the Indian Parliament in December 2001, killing 14 people. After India put pressure on Pakistani authorities, he was arrested but not formally charged. The court also ended his house arrest in December 2002.&nbsp;

The responsibility for the 2019 Pulwama attack, which claimed the lives of 44 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel in India, was taken by JeM. It is said that Azhar approved the attacks from the Pakistani Army Hospital where he was under protective custody.&nbsp;

Indian investigative agencies continued their investigation to find out the whereabouts of Masood Azhar. On several occasions, Indian counterterror agencies confirmed the information related to his location and provided it to concerned countries. Indian agencies have even given dossiers containing proof of Azhar's complicity in the terror attack and also sought a second 'red corner notice' from 'Interpol'. But, Azhar still walks free.&nbsp;

Now, the world is watching Pakistan and Afghanistan's diplomatic spat over UN-designated terrorist Azhar. It is quite amusing to see Pakistan claiming that Masood Azhar is in Afghanistan. But the Taliban has rejected the claims and in return, Kabul even said that such organisations can operate on Pakistan's soil, even under "official patronage".&nbsp;

Such remarks by Pakistan also show its desperation to get out of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list. The Paris-based international watchdog has forced Islamabad to take action against some of the UN-designated terrorists.&nbsp;

Pakistan, which is known to harbour terrorists, had many chances to take action and arrest the mastermind of many terrorist attacks. But the authorities kept saying that Azhar is untraceable.&nbsp;

But when the FATF greylist started biting the economy, the country began the adventure. Pakistan has appeared on the FATF greylist multiple times since 2008. Being in greylist has had a significant impact on Pakistan's economy, particularly its financial services industry.&nbsp;

The Taliban, on the other hand, have rejected the claims that Azhar is currently on its soil. The extremist regime is busy portraying its clean image at the global forum to improve its foreign relations and invite investment to help the dwindling economy. But at the same time, reports of atrocities, killings, and brutality keep coming from the region.&nbsp;

After Azhar's reports, the Taliban-led Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said that such allegations can affect the relations between Kabul and Islamabad. Abdul Qahar Balkhi, a Talibani spokesman said, "We also call on all parties to refrain from such allegations lacking any proof and documentation. Such media allegations can adversely affect bilateral relations." &nbsp;

Last month, United States President Joe Biden said that Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri was killed in a drone strike in Kabul, Afghanistan. But the Taliban denied it, saying that they do not have any information regarding Zawahiri's presence in Afghanistan.&nbsp;

Masood Azhar is the world's problem. His arrest is necessary, but the recent claims and counterclaims show it's uncertain.&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

Indian authorities had no option but to free terrorist Mohammed Masood Azhar Alvi when terrorists hijacked an Indian Airlines plane in 1999 and demanded his release in exchange for passengers.

Indian authorities had no option but to free terrorist Mohammed Masood Azhar Alvi when terrorists hijacked an Indian Airlines plane in 1999 and demanded his release in exchange for passengers. Azhar, chief of the terrorist organisation Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), has been linked to many terrorist attacks, including some in India since his release. After he walked free, he made a public address to an estimated 10,000 people in Karachi. He said, "I have come here because this is my duty to tell you that Muslims should not rest in peace until we have destroyed India." JeM's chief Azhar was responsible for the attack on the Indian Parliament in December 2001, killing 14 people. After India put pressure on Pakistani authorities, he was arrested but not formally charged. The court also ended his house arrest in December 2002. The responsibility for the 2019 Pulwama attack, which claimed the lives of 44 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel in India, was taken by JeM. It is said that Azhar approved the attacks from the Pakistani Army Hospital where he was under protective custody. Indian investigative agencies continued their investigation to find out the whereabouts of Masood Azhar. On several occasions, Indian counterterror agencies confirmed the information related to his location and provided it to concerned countries. Indian agencies have even given dossiers containing proof of Azhar's complicity in the terror attack and also sought a second 'red corner notice' from 'Interpol'. But, Azhar still walks free. Now, the world is watching Pakistan and Afghanistan's diplomatic spat over UN-designated terrorist Azhar. It is quite amusing to see Pakistan claiming that Masood Azhar is in Afghanistan. But the Taliban has rejected the claims and in return, Kabul even said that such organisations can operate on Pakistan's soil, even under "official patronage". Such remarks by Pakistan also show its desperation to get out of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list. The Paris-based international watchdog has forced Islamabad to take action against some of the UN-designated terrorists. Pakistan, which is known to harbour terrorists, had many chances to take action and arrest the mastermind of many terrorist attacks. But the authorities kept saying that Azhar is untraceable. But when the FATF greylist started biting the economy, the country began the adventure. Pakistan has appeared on the FATF greylist multiple times since 2008. Being in greylist has had a significant impact on Pakistan's economy, particularly its financial services industry. The Taliban, on the other hand, have rejected the claims that Azhar is currently on its soil. The extremist regime is busy portraying its clean image at the global forum to improve its foreign relations and invite investment to help the dwindling economy. But at the same time, reports of atrocities, killings, and brutality keep coming from the region. After Azhar's reports, the Taliban-led Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said that such allegations can affect the relations between Kabul and Islamabad. Abdul Qahar Balkhi, a Talibani spokesman said, "We also call on all parties to refrain from such allegations lacking any proof and documentation. Such media allegations can adversely affect bilateral relations." Last month, United States President Joe Biden said that Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri was killed in a drone strike in Kabul, Afghanistan. But the Taliban denied it, saying that they do not have any information regarding Zawahiri's presence in Afghanistan. Masood Azhar is the world's problem. His arrest is necessary, but the recent claims and counterclaims show it's uncertain. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Pakistan and Afghanistan's farce over Masood Azhar. Concerning, but amusing

where-is-masood-azhar

Where Is Masood Azhar?, News on Where Is Masood Azhar?, stories on Where Is Masood Azhar?, articles on Where Is Masood Azhar?, Where Is Masood Azhar? stories at Wion, Where Is Masood Azhar? news, Where Is Masood Azhar? latest news

where is-masood-azhar

Pulwama attack mastermind Masood Azhar makes first address in 20 years, vows to renew operations against India

JeM chief Masood Azhar: India's most wanted, and the 'man who brought jihad to Britain'

Pakistan and Afghanistan's farce over Masood Azhar. Concerning, but amusing