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Masood Azhar

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Masood Azhar
Born (1968-07-10) 10 July 1968 (age 56)
Bahawalpur, Punjab, Pakistan
AllegianceHarkat-ul-Ansar, Harkat-ul-Mujahideen, Jaish-e-Mohammad

Masood Azhar (Urdu: محمد مسعود اظہر) is the founder and leader of the UN-designated terrorist group[1] Jaish-e-Mohammed, active mainly in the Pakistani administered Azad Kashmir.[2] Pakistani authorities took him into 'protective custody' after the Pathankot attack in India,[3] which was widely reported as an "arrest".[4] However he was seen to be free in April 2016.[5] India had listed Masood Azhar as one of its most wanted terrorists due to his history of militant activities.[6][7] India has been continuously trying to place Azhar on UN Security Council's counter-terrorism sanctions list, a move vetoed by China.[8]

Early life

Azhar was born in Bahawalpur, Punjab on 10 July 1968 as one of ten siblings[9] although some sources list his birth date as 7 August 1968 as the third of 11 children.[7] Azhar's father, Allah Bakhsh Shabbir, was the headmaster at a government-run school, and his family operated a dairy and poultry farm. Azhar studied at the Jamia Uloom ul Islamia Banuri Town in Karachi, where he became involved with Harkat-ul-Ansar. After he suffered injuries in the Soviet–Afghan War, Azhar was chosen as the head of Harkat's department of motivation and became an editor for the Urdu-language Sad’e Mujahidin and the Arabic-language Sawte Kashmir.[7] [9]

Azhar later became the general secretary of Harkat-ul-Ansar and visited many international locations to recruit, to raise funds and to spread the message of Pan-Islamism. Among his destinations were Zambia, Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia, Mongolia, the United Kingdom and Albania.[9]

Activities in Somalia

Azhar confessed that in 1993 he traveled to Nairobi, Kenya to meet with leaders of al-Itihaad al-Islamiya, an al-Qaeda-aligned Somali group, who had requested money and recruits from Harkat-ul-Mujahideen (HuM). Indian intelligence officials believe that he made at least three trips to Somalia and that he also helped bring Yemeni mercenaries to Somalia.[10]

Activities in the UK

In August 1993 Azhar entered the UK for a speaking, fundraising, and recruitment tour. His message of jihad was given at some of Britain's most prestigious Islamic institutions including the Darul Uloom Bury seminary, Zakariya Mosque, Madina Masjid in Blackburn and Burnley, and Jamia Masjid. His message was that "substantial proportion of the Koran had been devoted to 'killing for the sake of Allah' and that a substantial volume of sayings of the Prophet Muhammad were on the issue of jihad." Azhar made contacts in Britain who helped to provide training and logistical support the terror plots including "7/7, 21/7 and the attempt in 2006 to smuggle liquid bomb-making substances on to transatlantic airlines."[11]

Arrest in India and subsequent release

In early 1994, Azhar travelled to Srinagar to ease tensions between Harkat-ul-Ansar's feuding factions of Harkat-ul-Jihad al-Islami and Harkat-ul-Mujahideen.[9] India arrested him in February and imprisoned him for his terrorist activities with the groups.[10]

In 1995, six foreign tourists were kidnapped in Jammu and Kashmir. The kidnappers, referring to themselves as Al-Faran, included the release of Masood Azhar among their demands.[9] One of the hostages managed to escape, another was found dead on 13 August 1995. The other four were never seen or heard from since 1995.[12][13]

Four years later, in December 1999, an Indian Airlines Flight 814 (IC814) en route from Kathmandu in Nepal to New Delhi was hijacked and eventually landed in Kandahar, Afghanistan before being flown to multiple locations. Kandahar at that time was controlled by Taliban, which was initially thought to be on India's side, but later was suggested to be working with Pakistan's ISI. Masood Azhar was one of the three militants demanded to be released in exchange for freeing the hostages. Subsequently, Azhar was freed by the Indian government in a decision criticised by many including Ajit Doval as a "diplomatic failure".[14] The hijackers of IC814 were led by Masood Azhar's brother,[15] Ibrahim Athar. His release from Kot Bhalwal jail was supervised by an IPS officer, S P Vaid.[16] His younger brother Abdul Rauf Asghar had planned this attack. Once Masood Azhar was handed over to the hijackers, they fled to Pakistani territory. Pakistan had said the hijackers would be arrested if found, a difficult task given the length of the border and multitude of access points from Afghanistan. The Pakistani government also previously indicated that Azhar would be allowed to return home since he did not face any charges there.[17]

Shortly after his release, Azhar made a public address to an estimated 10,000 people in Karachi. He proclaimed, "I have come here because this is my duty to tell you that Muslims should not rest in peace until we have destroyed India," vowing to liberate the Kashmir region from Indian rule.[17]

Jaish-e-Mohammed

Masood Azhar's outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed allegedly carried out a string of deadly attacks against Indian targets, including the attack on the Indian parliament in December 2001 that brought India and Pakistan to the brink of a full-scale war.[18] Soon after the Indian parliament attack, Masood Azhar was detained for a year by Pakistani authorities in connection but was never formally charged. The Lahore High Court ordered an end to the house arrest on 14 December 2002, much to the fury of India.[6]

2008 Mumbai attacks

Main article: 2008 Mumbai attacks

On 7 December 2008, it was claimed that he was among several arrested by the Pakistani government after a military raid on a camp located on the outskirts of Muzaffarabad in connection with the 2008 Mumbai attacks. He continued to live in Bhawalpur.[19][20] Pakistan's government denied it had arrested Masood Azhar and said it was unaware of his whereabouts [21] On 26 January 2014, Masood Azhar reappeared after a seclusion of six years. He addressed a rally in Muzaffarabad, calling for the resumption of jihad in Kashmir. His group, Jaish-e-Muhammad, claims he is currently in Srinagar, India.[22]

2016 Pathankot attack

Main article: 2016 Pathankot attack

The 2016 Pathankot attack on Indian air base is said to be masterminded by Masood Azhar and his brother. They were in direct touch with terrorists even after the attack had begun. Indian investigative agencies have given dossiers containing proofs of Azhar's complicity in the terror attack and also sough a second ʽred corner noticeʼ from ʽInterpolʼ.[23][24]

2019 Pulwama attack

Main article: 2019 Pulwama attack

On 14 February 2019, a convoy of vehicles carrying security personnel on the Jammu Srinagar National Highway was attacked by a vehicle-bound suicide bomber in Lethpora near Awantipora, Pulwama district, Jammu and Kashmir, India. The attack resulted in the death of 46 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel and the attacker. The responsibility for the attack was claimed by the Pakistan-based Islamist militant group Jaish-e-Mohammed.

Sanctions

The U.S. Treasury is prohibiting Americans from "engaging in any transactions" with three Pakistan-based militants and a front group. Al Rehmat Trust, called "an operational front" for Jaish-e Mohammed, was designated for providing support to and for acting for or on behalf of that group, and Mohammed Masood Azhar Alvi, Jaish-e Mohammed's founder and leader, was designated for acting on behalf of the group.[25][26]

The Chinese government blocked a UN Security Council Sanctions Committee listing of Azhar as a terrorist, thwarting international efforts to disrupt the activities of his group.[27][28]

China moved to protect Azhar again in October 2016 when it blocked India's appeal to the United Nations to label him as a terrorist.[29] China also blocked US move to get Masood Azhar banned by UN in February 2017.[30]

Works

He has written books on Jihad and antisemitism in Urdu.

See also

References

  1. ^ Gunaratna, Rohan; Kam, Stefanie (2016), Handbook of Terrorism in the Asia–Pacific, World Scientific, ISBN 978-1-78326-997-6
  2. ^ "The astonishing rise of Jaish-e-Mohammed: It's bad news for Kashmir, India and Pakistan". FirstPost. Archived from the original on 2016-01-16. Retrieved 17 January 2016. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ Jaish's Masood Azhar under 'protective custody', confirms Punjab Law Minister Archived 2016-10-03 at the Wayback Machine, Dawn, 15 January 2016.
  4. ^ "Pakistan Arrests JeM Militants After Pathankot Airbase Attack". Geo News. Archived from the original on 2016-01-16. Retrieved 13 January 2016. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  5. ^ JeM's Azhar lives freely in Pakistan, govt never detained him: Report Archived 2016-10-05 at the Wayback Machine, Hindustan Times, 26 April 2016.
  6. ^ a b "Indian fury over freed militant". BBC News. 2002-12-14. Archived from the original on 2009-01-03. Retrieved 2008-01-08. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  7. ^ a b c India's most wanted. Vol. 19. Frontline. 2002. ISBN 0066210631. Archived from the original on 2012-09-23. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  8. ^ "How China stood in India's way to list JeM chief Maulana Masood Azhar". Indian Express. Retrieved 15 February 2019. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  9. ^ a b c d e "Maulana Masood Azhar". Kashmir Herald. 1 (8). kashmiri-pandit.org. January 2002. Archived from the original on 2008-12-11. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  10. ^ a b Watson, Paul; Sidhartha Barua (2002-02-25). "Somalian Link Seen to Al Qaeda". LA Times. Archived from the original on 2002-02-25.
  11. ^ "The man who brought jihad to Britain in 1993". BBC. Apr 4, 2016. Archived from the original on 2018-06-20. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  12. ^ "IndoPak: New book claims India-backed group killed kidnapped Kashmir tourists". Public Radio International. 3 April 2012. Archived from the original on 2018-04-01. Retrieved 31 March 2018. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  13. ^ "Middlesbrough hostage Keith Mangan abducted in Kashmir 20 years ago today". Gazettelive.co.uk. 4 July 2005. Archived from the original on 2018-04-01. Retrieved 31 March 2018. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  14. ^ Gannon, Kathy (1999-12-31). "Hopes for end to jet hijack". London: The Independent. Archived from the original on 2008-12-21. Retrieved 2009-02-11. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  15. ^ Jaleel, Muzamil (6 June 2016). "After Kandahar swap, India offered Taliban cash to get me: JeM chief". London: The IndianExpress. Archived from the original on 2016-11-07. Retrieved 5 November 2017. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  16. ^ "Even without Kandahar, Azhar may have walked out". The Indian Express. 17 December 2008.
  17. ^ a b Hussain, Zahid (2000-01-05). "Freed Militant Surfaces". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 2000-09-01. Retrieved 2008-01-07.
  18. ^ Tanner, Marcus (2001-12-17) Pakistan blamed by India for raid on parliament. The Independent
  19. ^ Subramanian, Nirupama (2008-12-18). "Restrictions put on Masood Azhar". Chennai, India: The Hindu. Archived from the original on 2008-12-12. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  20. ^ "JeM chief Masood Azhar under house arrest". Times of India. 2008-12-09. Archived from the original on 2008-12-12. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  21. ^ "Pakistan denies militant arrested". BBC News. 2008-12-18. Archived from the original on 2008-12-21. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  22. ^ "In Plain View". 23 March 2014. Archived from the original on 2014-04-16. Retrieved 2014-04-15. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  23. ^ "Jaish chief Masood Azhar identified as mastermind of Pathankot terror attack - Times of India". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 2017-09-08. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  24. ^ Desk, The Hindu Net. "The 1267 Committee, China's hold and Masood Azhar: A short history". The Hindu. {{cite news}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  25. ^ "U.S. Treasury targets Pakistani militants". CNN. 2010-11-04. Archived from the original on 2012-11-08. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  26. ^ US Department of the Treasury Archived 2010-11-11 at the Wayback Machine. Treas.gov. Retrieved on 2013-03-14.
  27. ^ "China's move to block ban against Azhar came just before deadline". The Hindu. April 2, 2016. Archived from the original on 2016-04-02. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  28. ^ Sutirtho Patranobis (April 23, 2016). "China fumes after India issues visa to Uyghur 'terrorist'". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 2016-04-23. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  29. ^ "China blocks India's move to ban Jaish chief Masood Azhar, again". Hindustan Times. 1 October 2016. Archived from the original on 2016-10-12. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  30. ^ "China blocked US move to get Masood Azhar banned by UN". Times of India. Archived from the original on 2017-02-09. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  31. ^ Ahmed, Tufail. "'Forty Diseases Of The Jews' – Pakistan Army-Backed Jihadi Commander Maulana Masood Azhar's Book Says: 'Jews Are The Cancer Seeping Into All Of Humanity'". memri.org. Middle East Media Research Institute. Archived from the original on 2018-02-28. Retrieved 9 October 2018. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
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