'Ostensible Crackdown': Pakistan Announces PKR 70 Lakh Bounty on Masood Azhar Ahead of FATF Plenary
The FIA said the bounty was raised by Rs 20 lakh as Pakistan expanded its most-wanted terrorist list by 35% to 1,804 names.
- The Federal Investigation Agency updated its Red Book, increasing the bounty for Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar to PKR 70 lakh, a PKR 20 lakh increase from the 2021 list.
- Over five years, Pakistan's most-wanted terrorist roster has surged 35%, expanding from 1,330 names in the 2021 FIA Red Book to 1,804 today, including 19 accused of facilitating the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.
- Eleven Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists appear on the list for facilitating 26/11 boat operations, though sources report the agency covertly removed photographs and operational roles for two individuals, including Abdul Rehman.
- Indian intelligence agencies claim technical analysis reveals Azhar is actively hiding in Nawabshah, Sindh, contradicting Pakistan's persistent assertion since 2021 that he remains in Afghanistan.
- Linked to the February 14, 2019, Pulwama attack, the JeM headquarters in Bahawalpur was destroyed in Indian precision strikes and served as a center for Azhar's appeals for Islamic Jihad.
26 Articles
26 Articles
Why has Pakistan suddenly put a Rs 70 lakh bounty of JeM founder Maulana Masood Azhar
As part of its larger game plan and to deflect criticism that it backs terrorism, mainly against India, Pakistan had announced a reward of Rs 70 lakh (Pakistani currency) against Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) founder Maulana Masood Azhar. A week ago, some Pakistani newspapers and portals had carried reports that Masood was no longer in Pakistan and had moved to Afghanistan. On Wednesday (September 9), Kabul had categorically denied that Masood Azhar wa…
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Pakistan names Jaish chief Masood Azhar among most wanted terrorists, hikes bounty to PKR 70 lakh ahead of FATF review
The move comes ahead of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) plenary scheduled for October, as Pakistan seeks to prevent its return to the grey list.
Pakistan hikes bounty on Jaish chief Masood Azhar to PKR 70 lakh in deceitful bid to avoid FATF grey list
Despite Pakistan's repeated claims since 2021 that Azhar is hiding in Afghanistan, technical analysis by Indian intelligence agencies over the past six months has indicated that he is currently hiding in Nawabshah, Sindh province, Pakistan.
Pakistan hikes Masood Azhar bounty to Rs 70 lakh ahead of FATF meet in October
Sources described Azhar’s inclusion in the FIA’s 2026 Red Book and the higher bounty as an attempt by Pakistan to demonstrate action against terror networks ahead of the FATF meeting and avoid renewed scrutiny.
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