Fri Dec 06 14:48:27 UTC 2024: ## India Demands Pakistan Act Against Masood Azhar After Reported Speech
**NEW DELHI** – India has issued a strong condemnation of Pakistan following reports that Masood Azhar, the leader of the banned Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorist group, delivered a public speech – his first in 21 years. The speech, reportedly given in November at an Islamic seminary in Bahawalpur, allegedly included threats of continued attacks on India and derogatory remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that the reports, if true, expose Pakistan’s hypocrisy regarding its commitment to combating terrorism. India is demanding immediate action against Azhar, who is implicated in numerous cross-border attacks, including the 2001 Parliament attack and the 2019 Pulwama attack that killed numerous Central Reserve Police Force personnel. Azhar is also linked to the 2016 attack on the Indian consulate in Mazar-e-Sharif, Afghanistan.
In his reported speech, Azhar also reportedly insulted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and vowed to escalate attacks in Jammu and Kashmir. India has previously designated Azhar as an “individual terrorist” under its stringent anti-terror law, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Despite repeated Indian demands, Pakistan has consistently failed to take action against Azhar, who remains a fugitive from justice.
This latest incident follows previous reports of Azhar’s death, which were debunked as false. India’s renewed call for action underscores the ongoing tension between the two nations and highlights India’s frustration with Pakistan’s alleged harboring of terrorists.
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