New Delhi, Sep 16: India has rejected Pakistan’s decision to increase the reward for information on Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar, calling it a “phoney announcement” and a “gimmick.”
Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has included Masood Azhar in its 2026 Red Book of most-wanted terrorists. It has also increased the reward for information leading to his capture from PKR 50 lakh to PKR 70 lakh.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said Pakistan already knows where Masood Azhar is and should arrest him instead of making public announcements.
India also said such announcements have little meaning without actual action against terrorists. According to India, Pakistan often makes such moves when it faces international pressure.
Masood Azhar was designated a global terrorist by the United Nations Security Council in 2019. The United States has also announced a $10 million reward for information leading to his capture.
Azhar founded Jaish-e-Mohammed after being released in 1999 in exchange for passengers held during the IC-814 hijacking. His organisation has been linked to major attacks in India, including the 2001 Parliament attack, the 2016 Pathankot attack and the 2019 Pulwama bombing.
Pakistan has claimed that Azhar fled to Afghanistan, while Indian agencies have said he is believed to be hiding in Pakistan.
India’s position is that increasing the reward on paper is not enough. It says real action would mean locating, arresting and prosecuting the terrorist.
