UNSC designates Masood as global terrorist, India welcomes move
The United Nations Security Council (U.N.S.C.) has officially designated the Jaish-E-Mohammad (JeM) Chief – Masood Azhar as the global terrorist.
The move came after China lifted its hold on the proposal initiated by France, United Kingdom (U.K.) and United States (U.S.).
The UNSC has accused Azhar of participating in the financing, planning, facilitating, preparing, or perpetrating of acts or activities.
For the records, Masood was the mastermind behind several terrorist attacks including the 2016 attacks at the IAF base in Pathankot, Punjab, and the Indian Army Brigade HQ in Uri in Jammu & Kashmir. Recently, he also planned the heinous Pulwama attack which killed more than 40 Central Reserve police Forces (CRPF) personnel.
Prime Minister of India – Narendra Modi has welcomed the move and said that this is a huge success and diplomatic a achievement for India and that India will continue to fight against terrorism.
He tweeted, “Today is a day that would make every Indian proud! I thank the global community and all those who believe in humanitarian values for their support. India’s fight against terror will continue. We will work towards peace and brotherhood in our planet.”
India’s Permanent Representative to the U.N. – Syed Akbaruddin tweeted, “Big, small, all join together. Masood Azhar designated as a terrorist in @UN Sanctions list. Grateful to all for their support. This is for us a significant outcome because we have been at it for several years. The first effort that we made in this regard was in 2009. More recently, we have been persistent diligent and in a subterranean manner making all our efforts towards this goal. Today that goal stands achieved. All in all it’s been a happy day, a good day for all this who would like to pursue the approach of zero tolerance for terrorism.”
Due to it’s relations with Pakistan, China have always been defending Masood from being declared as global terrorist. However, this time, owing to international pressure, it was compelled to lift the ban.
The Foreign Ministry Spokesperson of China – Geng Shuang said, “Recently, relevant countries revised and re-submitted the materials for the listing proposal to the 1267 Committee. After careful study of the revised materials and taking into consideration the opinions of relevant parties concerned, China does not have objection to the listing proposal.”
Foreign Office Spokesperson of Pakistan – Dr. Mohammad Faisal said, “Pakistan will immediately enforce the sanctions as it always does with UN cases. Pakistan maintains that terrorism is a menace to the world, including the Indian state-sponsored terrorism against innocent Kashmiris in IOK.”
The global terrorist designation means that all the Member Governments of the U.N. across globe, are required to immediately freeze all the financial assets, funds or economic resources, designated to Masood. Moreover, his entry or transit are blocked across all the U.N. member countries. Under the arms embargo, all countries must ensure that they prevent the direct or indirect supply, sale and transfer of arms and ammunition to him.
Besides, the Ministry of External Affairs, India also held a Press Conference where it said that the Masood’s designation is not based on any single incident but based on numerous documents and shred which India has shared with the U.N., highlighting Masood’s involvement in various terror acts.
