Pakistan Releases JeM Chief Masood Azhar: Intelligence Inputs Warn India Of Unrest Ahead Of UN General Assembly

Amid tensions with India over the Modi government’s abrogation of Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan has released Jaish-e-Mohammed Chief Maulana Masood Azhar from the protective custody. Maulana Masood Azhar has been asked to create unrest in Jammu and Kashmir after the UN human rights meeting this week, and the UN General Assembly later this month-end according to sources quoted by Hindustan Times.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday, September 6, threatened “fullest possible response” to India’s moves and said the global community would be accountable for any “catastrophic” consequences.

The Indian Navy had recently warned that an “underwater wing” of JeM was training people to carry out attacks. Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Karambir Singh told said all stakeholders in coastal security are ensuring that there is no intrusion from the sea. “We have received intelligence input that an underwater wing of Jaish-e-Mohammed is training people to carry out attacks from water, and that is one change. “But we are fully prepared and will thwart any such attempt,” he added.

Border Security Forces and army field formations in Jammu and Rajasthan sectors are on high alert after the intelligence input “to avoid any surprises” from the Pakistani army.

Masood Azhar is the mastermind of several terror attacks against India, including the Pulwama attack which claimed the lives of over 40 CRPF personnel. He was designated an international terrorist by the United Nations in May 2019.

India has identified Masood Azhar as the first individual terrorist under the amended Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The Ministry of Home Affairs, through a gazette notification, has declared Azhar, LeT founder Hafiz Mohammad Saeed, Mumbai 26/11 attack mastermind Zakir Ur Rehman Lakhvi, and 1993 Bombay blast accused Dawood Ibrahim as terrorists.

There has been a rise in ceasefire violations on the LoC by Pakistan since August 5. Army chief General Bipin Rawat had earlier told that Pakistan has reopened terror training camps and has attempted to push infiltrators.

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