Masood Azhar: Difference between revisions

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'''Mohammad Masood Azhar Alvi'''<ref name="UNSC"/> ({{lang-ur|{{nq|محمدborn مسعود10 اظہر}}}}July or 7 August 1968) is a radical [[Islamist]] and terrorist,<ref>Outlook Web Bureau (15 February 2019), [https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/india-news-what-is-jaish-e-mohammed-why-india-calls-for-global-ban-on-masood-azhar/325499 "What Is Jaish-e-Mohammad? Who Is Masood Azhar?]", ''Outlook India''. Retrieved 9 April 2020.</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=news|title=Masood Azhar is now a UN global terrorist: Know what it means|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/masood-azhar-as-un-global-terrorist-know-what-it-means/articleshow/68251894.cms|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=|website=Economic Times}}</ref> being the founder and leader of the [[Pakistan]]-based terrorist organisation [[Jaish-e-Mohammed]], active mainly in the Pakistani-administered portion of the state[[Kashmir]] region.<ref>{{cite news |title=The astonishing rise of [[Jaish-e-Mohammed: It's bad news for Kashmir, India and Pakistan |Jammuurl=http://www.firstpost.com/world/jaish-e-mohammad-and-its-phenomenal-rise-its-bad-news-for-india-kashmir-and-pakistan-2582192.html |access-date=17 January 2016 |agency=FirstPost |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116124623/http://www.firstpost.com/world/jaish-e-mohammad-and-its-phenomenal-rise-its-bad-news-for-india-kashmir-and-pakistan-2582192.html Kashmir|archive-date=16 January 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> His actions are not limited to the South Asian region; for instance, ''[[BBC News]]'' described him as "the man who brought jihad to Britain."<ref>[https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-35959202 "Masood Azhar: The man who brought jihad to Britain"] (5 April 2016), ''BBC News''. Retrieved 6 April 2020.</ref> On 1 May 2019, Masood Azhar was listed as an international terrorist by the [[United Nations Security Council]].<ref name="UNSC">{{Cite web|url=https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/content/mohammad-masood-azhar-alvi|title=Mohammad Masood Azhar Alvi|date=1 May 2019|work=United Nations Security Council|access-date=1 May 2019}}</ref>

</ref>) as the third of 11 children—five sons and six daughters. Azhar's father, Allah Bakhsh Shabbir, was the [[headmaster]] at a government-run school as well as a cleric with Deobandi leanings and his family operated a dairy and poultry farm.<ref name="kashmirherald" /><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/kashmir-masood-azhar-talha-rashid-killed-jaish-e-muhammad-lashkar-hizb-ul-mujahideen-indian-army-militancy-terrorism-4930417/|title=How significant is Jaish-e-Muhammad in Kashmir today?|date=2017-11-10|website=The Indian Express|language=en-IN|access-date=2019-02-18}}</ref>

Azhar dropped out of mainstream school after class 8 and joined the [[Jamia Uloom ul Islamia|Jamia Uloom Islamic school]], from where he graduated out in 1989 as an ''alim'' and was soon appointed as a teacher''.''<ref name=":0" /> The madrasa was heavily involved with [[Harkat-ul-Ansar]] and Azhar was subsequently assumed under its folds, after being enrolled for a [[jihad- training camp]] at Afghanistan.<ref name="kashmirherald" /> Despite failing to complete the course; he joined the [[Soviet–Afghan War]] and retired after suffering injuries. Thereafter, he was chosen as the head of Harkat's department of motivation. He was also entrusted with the editorial responsibilities for the [[Urdu]]-language magazine ''Sad’eSad'e Mujahidin'' and the [[Arabic]]-language ''Sawte Kashmir''.<ref name="frontlinev19" /><ref name="kashmirherald">{{cite journal |title=Maulana Masood Azhar |journal=Kashmir Herald |volume=1 |issue=8 |publisher=kashmiri-pandit.org |date=January 2002 |url=http://kashmirherald.com/profiles/masoodazhar.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081211065030/http://www.kashmirherald.com/profiles/masoodazhar.html |archive-date=11 December 2008 |url-status=dead |access-date=8 June 2009 }}</ref>

{{cite news |last=Watson |first=Paul |author2=Sidhartha Barua |title=Somalian Link Seen to Al Qaeda |publishernewspaper=[[LA Times]] |date=2002-02-25 |url=http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-022502hawk.story |archiveurlurl-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020225225917/http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-022502hawk.story |archivedatearchive-date=2002-02-25}}

==Activities in the UKUnited Kingdom==

In August 1993 Azhar entered the UKUnited Kingdom for a speaking, fundraising, and recruitment tour. His message of jihad was given at some of Britain's most prestigious Islamic institutions including the [[Darul Uloom Bury]] seminary, Zakariya Mosque, Madina Masjid in Blackburn and Burnley, and [[Jamia Masjid]]. His message was that "substantial proportion of the Koran had been devoted to 'killing for the sake of Allah' and that a substantial volume of sayings of the Prophet[[Prophets and messengers in Islam|Islamic prophet]] [[Muhammad]] were on the issue of jihad." Azhar made contacts in Britain who helped to provide training and logistical support the terror plots including "7/7, 21/7 and the attempt in 2006 to smuggle liquid bomb-making substances on to transatlantic airlines."<ref>

{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-35959202 |title=The man who brought jihad to Britain in 1993 |date=Apr 4, April 2016 |work=BBC |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180620042958/https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-35959202 |archive-date=2018-06-20 |url-status=live}}

In 1993, the militant organisation [[Harkat-ul-Ansar]] was established and Masood served as its general secretary.<ref name="The Hindu fortifying">{{cite news |title=India fortifying case to put Jaish on ban list |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/india-fortifying-case-to-put-jaish-on-ban-list/article26426600.ece |accessdateaccess-date=14 March 2019 |work=The Hindu |date=4 March 2019 |language=en-IN}}</ref> In 1998, U.S.'s [[Central Intelligence Agency]] (CIA) in its report stated, "HuA, an Islamic extremist organisation that Pakistan supports in its proxy war against Indian forces in Kashmir, increasingly is using terrorist tactics against Westerners and random attacks on civilians that could involve Westerners to promote its pan-Islamic agenda." CIA also stated that Hua had abducted at least 13 persons of which 12 were from western countries in the period from early 1994 to 1998.<ref name="The Hindu fortifying" />

In early 1994, Azhar travelled to [[Srinagar]] under a fake identity, to ease tensions between Harkat-ul-Ansar's feuding factions of [[Harkat-ul-Jihad al-Islami]] and [[Harkat-ul-Mujahideen]].<ref name=kashmirherald/> India arrested him in February from [[Khanabal]] near Anantnag and imprisoned him for his terrorist activities with the groups.<ref name=latimes/><ref name="kashmirherald" /> On being arrested, he said "''Soldiers of [[Islam]] have come from 12 countries to liberate Kashmir. We will answer your [[Carbine|carbinescarbine]]s with [[Rocketrocket launcher|rocket launchers]]s"'' <ref>{{Cite webnews|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/cover-story/story/19940515-specter-of-subversion-looms-over-india-as-pakistan-sponsored-arms-mercenaries-and-funds-from-muslim-world-pour-in-to-destabilise-kashmir-809140-1994-05-15|title=Specter of subversion looms over India as Pakistan sponsored arms, mercenaries and funds from Muslim world pour in to destabilise Kashmir|last=May 15|first=SHEKHARShekhar GUPTAGupta RAHUL PATHAKRahul|last2last=May 15Pathak|first2date=199415 ISSUEMay DATE1994|website=India Today|language=en|access-date=2019-05-02}}</ref> He was imprisoned at the [[Badami Bagh|Badami Bagh Cantonment]] in [[Srinagar]], [[Tihar Jail]] in Delhi, and lastly the Kot Balwal Jail in [[Jammu]] (from where he would eventually be released).<ref>{{cite web |last3last1=JulySachdeva 8|first3first1=1994UPDATEDSujata Dutta |last4title=IstNetworking in Tihar: How it works|first4url=2013https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/networking-in-tihar-how-it-works/articleshow/1197888.cms 18|website=[[The Times of India]] |language=en |date=17 February 2002}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title='Still remember the day Masood Azhar was released,' recalls former jailor |url=https:05//www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/still-remember-the-day-masood-azhar-was-released-recalls-former-jailor/story-Tnbe4lODLSa0JGxLbWkSXL.html |website=[[Hindustan Times]] |language=en |date=1 May 2019}}</ref>

In July, 1995, six [[1995 kidnapping of western tourists in Jammu and Kashmir |foreign tourists were kidnapped]] in Jammu and Kashmir. The kidnappers, referring to themselves as [[Al-Faran]] (a pseudonym of the Harkat-ul-Mujahideen),<ref>{{cite web |title=Al Faran |url=https://www.thefreedictionary.com/Al+Faran |website=[[TheFreeDictionary.com]]|publisher=[[WordNet]], [[Princeton University]]}}</ref> included the release of Masood Azhar among their demands.<ref name=kashmirherald/> One of the hostages managed to escape whilst another was found in a decapitated state in August.<ref name="latimes" /> The others were never seen or heard from since 1995.<ref>

{{cite news |title=IndoPak: New book claims India-backed group killed kidnapped Kashmir tourists |url=https://www.pri.org/stories/2012-04-03/indopak-new-book-claims-india-backed-group-killed-kidnapped-kashmir-tourists |publisher=[[Public Radio International]] |date=3 April 2012 |accessdateaccess-date=31 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180401010857/https://www.pri.org/stories/2012-04-03/indopak-new-book-claims-india-backed-group-killed-kidnapped-kashmir-tourists |archive-date=2018-04-01 |url-status=live}}

{{cite news |title=Middlesbrough hostage Keith Mangan abducted in Kashmir 20 years ago today |url=https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/middlesbrough-hostage-keith-mangan-abducted-9584023 |publisher=Gazettelive.co.uk |date=4 July 2005 |accessdateaccess-date=31 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180401005605/https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/middlesbrough-hostage-keith-mangan-abducted-9584023 |archive-date=2018-04-01 |url-status=live}}

Four years later, in December 1999, an [[Indian Airlines Flight 814]] (IC814) en route from [[Kathmandu]] in Nepal to New Delhi was hijacked and eventually landed in [[Kandahar]], [[Afghanistan]] after being flown to multiple locations. Kandahar at that time was controlled by the [[Taliban]], which was initiallysupported thought to be on India's side, but later was suggested to be working withby Pakistan's ISI. Masood Azhar was one of the three militants demanded to be released in exchange for freeing the hostages. Subsequently, Azhar was freed by the [[Indian government]] in a decision criticised by many including [[Ajit Doval]] as a "diplomatic failure", and that no one worth any consequence was contacted either by the (then) foreign minister (Jaswant Singh) or the (then) foreign secretary (Lalit Mansingh), and as a consequence, the Indian ambassador could not even get inside the Abu Dhabi airport.<ref>

{{cite news |last=Gannon |first=Kathy |title=Hopes for end to jet hijack |publisherwork=The Independent |date=1999-12-31 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/hopes-for-end-to-jet-hijack-740023.html |accessdateaccess-date=2009-02-11 |location=London |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081221171131/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/hopes-for-end-to-jet-hijack-740023.html |archive-date=2008-12-21 |url-status=live }}

</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.rediff.com/report/2009/dec/24/kandahar-hijack-was-indias-diplomatic-failure.htm|title = 'Kandahar hijack was India's diplomatic failure'}}</ref> The hijackers of IC814 were led by Masood Azhar's brother,<ref>

{{cite news |last=Jaleel |first=Muzamil |title=After Kandahar swap, India offered Taliban cash to get me: JeM chief |publisher=The IndianExpress |date=6 June 2016 |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/after-kandahar-hijack-indian-airlines-flight-ic-814-india-offered-taliban-cash-to-get-me-jem-chief-maulana-masood-azhar-2836668/ |accessdateaccess-date=5 November 2017 |location=London |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161107173305/http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/after-kandahar-hijack-indian-airlines-flight-ic-814-india-offered-taliban-cash-to-get-me-jem-chief-maulana-masood-azhar-2836668/ |archive-date=2016-11-07 |url-status=live}}

</ref> His younger brother [[Abdul Rauf Asghar]] had planned this attack. Once Masood Azhar was handed over to the hijackers, they fled to Pakistani territory. Pakistan had said the hijackers would be arrested if found, a difficult task given the length of the border and multitude of access points from Afghanistan. The Pakistani government also previously indicated that Azhar would be allowed to return home since he did not face any charges there.<ref name=hussainz/>

{{cite news |last=Hussain |first=Zahid |title=Freed Militant Surfaces |agency=Associated Press |date=2000-01-05 |url=https://abcnews.go.com/sections/world/DailyNews/militants000105.html |accessdateaccess-date=2008-01-07 |archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000901092056/https://abcnews.go.com/sections/world/DailyNews/militants000105.html |archivedatearchive-date=2000-09-01}}

Azhar planned to start a new outfit named as, [[Jaish-e-Mohammed]] (JeM). He reportedly received assistance from Pakistan's spy agency [[Inter-Services Intelligence]] (ISI), the [[Taliban]] regime in Afghanistan, [[Osama bin Laden]] and multiple Sunni sectarian organisations based in Pakistan.<ref name="The Hindu fortifying" /> JeM is run by Azhar's family like a family enterprise.<ref name="The Hindu fortifying" /> [[Jamia Binoria]] [[madarsa]] linked JeM with the Afghan Taliban.<ref name="The Hindu fortifying" />

Jaish-e-Mohammed carried out a string of deadly attacks against Indian targets, including the [[2001 Indian Parliament attack |attack on the Indian parliament]] in December 2001 that brought India and Pakistan to the brink of a full-scale war.<ref>Tanner, Marcus (2001-12-17) [https://web.archive.org/web/20081221172052/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/pakistan-blamed-by-india-for-raid-on-parliament-620439.html Pakistan blamed by India for raid on parliament]. The Independent</ref> The [[terrorism|terrorist]] attack on the [[Parliament of India]] in New Delhi happened on 13 December 2001. The perpetrators belonged to [[Lashkar-e-Taiba]] (LeT) and [[Jaish-e-Mohammed]] (JeM), both Pakistan-based terrorist organisations.<ref name="indianembassy.org">{{cite web |url=http://www.indianembassy.org/new/parliament_dec_13_01.htm |title=Terrorist Attack on the Parliament of India |date=2001-12-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100611152203/http://www.indianembassy.org/new/parliament_dec_13_01.htm |archive-date=2010-06-11 |publisher=Embassy of India – Washington DC |access-date=2018-12-12 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all}}</ref> The attack led to the deaths of five terrorists, six [[Delhi Police]] personnel, two Parliament Security Service personnel and a gardener{{snd}}in total 14{{snd}}and to increased tensions between [[India]] and [[Pakistan]], resulting in the [[2001–02 India–Pakistan standoff]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.globalbearings.net/2011/10/image-from-gates-of-pakistan-naval.html |title=From Kashmir to the FATA: The ISI Loses Control |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120127094835/http://www.globalbearings.net/2011/10/image-from-gates-of-pakistan-naval.html |archive-date=27 January 2012 |website=Global Bearings |date=28 October 2011}}</ref>

{{cite news |title=Indian fury over freed militant |publisher=BBC News |date=2002-12-14 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/2575199.stm |accessdateaccess-date=2008-01-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090103073224/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/2575199.stm |archive-date=2009-01-03 |url-status=live}}

{{cite news |last=Subramanian |first=Nirupama |title=Restrictions put on Masood Azhar |publisherwork=[[The Hindu]] |date=2008-12-18 |url=http://www.hindu.com/2008/12/10/stories/2008121058230100.htm |location=Chennai, India |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081212223734/http://www.hindu.com/2008/12/10/stories/2008121058230100.htm |archive-date=2008-12-12 |url-status=livedead }}

On 26 January 2014, Azhar reappeared after a seclusion of two years. He addressed a rally in Muzaffarabad, calling for the resumption of jihad in Kashmir. HisIn groupMarch 2014, a spokesperson of Jaish-e-Muhammad, claimsclaimed hethat ishe currentlywas in Srinagar, India.<ref>

{{Cite news |title=The 1267 Committee, China's hold and Masood Azhar: A short history |last=Desk |firstauthor=The Hindu Net Desk |work=The Hindu |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/the-1267-committee-chinas-hold-and-masood-azhar-a-short-history/article17353817.ece}}

On 14 February 2019, a convoy of vehicles carrying security personnel on the Jammu Srinagar National Highway was attacked by a vehicle-bound suicide bomber in Lethpora near Awantipora, Pulwama district, Jammu and Kashmir, India. The attack resulted in the death of 44 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel and the attacker. The responsibility for the attack was claimed by the Pakistan-based Islamist militantterrorist group Jaish-e-Mohammed.<ref name="BBC_What_is_JeM">{{cite news |title=What is Jaish-e-Mohammad |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-47249982 |accessdateaccess-date=14 March 2019 |work=BBC |date=15 February 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Sanctions List Materials {{!}} United Nations Security Council|url=https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/sanctions/1267/aq_sanctions_list|access-date=2021-08-11|website=www.un.org}}</ref> He approved the attacks from the Pakistani Army Hospital where he is under protective custody.<ref>{{Cite webnews|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/azhar-gave-nod-for-pulwama-attack-from-army-base-hospital-in-pakistan/articleshow/68029942.cms|title=Masood Azhar gave nod for Pulwama attack from Army base hospital in Pakistan - Times of India ►|website=The Times of India|date=17 February 2019 |access-date=2019-02-17}}</ref> After the attack, [[France]], [[United Kingdom]] and [[United States]] moved a proposal at UN Security Council to ban Masood.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/yusuf-azhar-jaish-balakot-iaf-airstrike-pakistan-1465297-2019-02-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190227080253/https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/yusuf-azhar-jaish-balakot-iaf-airstrike-pakistan-1465297-2019-02-26|url-status=dead|archive-date=27 February 2019|title=Surgical airstrike: Kandahar Jaish hijacker Yusuf Azhar was present at Balakot camp, say sources - India News|date=February 27, 2019}}</ref>

The U.S. Treasury is prohibiting Americans from "engaging in any transactions" with three Pakistan-based militants and a front group. Al Rehmat Trust, called "an operational front" for Jaish-e Mohammed, was designated for providing support to and for acting for or on behalf of that group, and Mohammed Masood Azhar Alvi, Jaish-e Mohammed's founder and leader, was designated as a [[Specially Designated Global Terrorist]] on the [[Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List]] for acting on behalf of the group.<ref>

The Chinese government blocked a UN Security Council [[Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee |Sanctions Committee]] listing of Azhar as a terrorist, thwarting international efforts to disrupt the activities of his group.<ref>

</ref> The most recent attempt was on 13th13 March 2019.<ref name="Firstpost14">{{cite news |title=If China continues to block Masood Azhar's designation as 'global terrorist', UN may be forced to pursue other actions: UNSC diplomat |url=https://www.firstpost.com/world/if-china-continues-to-block-masood-azhars-designation-as-global-terrorist-un-may-be-forced-to-pursue-other-actions-unsc-diplomat-6256771.html |accessdateaccess-date=14 March 2019 |work=Firstpost |date=14 March 2019}}</ref> However, China pulled the blockade in May 2019, finally resulting listing of Masood Azhar as a global terrorist by the [[Al-Qaida and Taliban Sanctions Committee]].<ref name = "UNSC"/><ref>{{Cite web |title=AQ Sanctions List |url=https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/sanctions/1267/aq_sanctions_list |website=[[un.org]]}}</ref>

Described as a "prolific writer",<ref>Ben Brandt, "AZHAR, MASOOD" in Peter Chalk, ''Encyclopedia of Terrorism'', ABC-CLIO (2013), vol. 1, p. 79</ref> he has authored some 20 books mainly on [[jihad]],<ref>Zahid, Farhan. “Profile"Profile of Jaish-e-Muhammad and Leader Masood Azhar.”" ''Counter Terrorist Trends and Analyses'', vol. 11, no. 4, 2019, p. 2</ref> including:

*''Fatah-ul-Jawad'', described by scholar [[Ayesha Siddiqa]] as "his seminal work", it's is a book on jihad "with two volumes of 2,000 pages each."<ref>Ayesha Siddiqa (13 March 2019), [https://thediplomat.com/2019/03/jaish-e-mohammed-under-the-hood/ "Jaish-e-Mohammed: Under the Hood"], ''The Diplomat''. Retrieved 30 March 2020.</ref>

*''Yahūd kī cālīs bīmāryān̲'' ("Forty Diseases Of The Jews"). [[Middle East Media Research Institute]] noted that it may be one of the most antisemitic book of the [[Urdu language]], with 424 pages and 440 Qur'anic verses quoted.<ref name="DiseaseJews">{{cite web |last1=Ahmed |first1=Tufail |title='Forty Diseases Of The Jews' – Pakistan Army-Backed Jihadi Commander Maulana Masood Azhar's Book Says: 'Jews Are The Cancer Seeping Into All Of Humanity' |url=https://www.memri.org/reports/forty-diseases-jews-%E2%80%93-pakistan-army-backed-jihadi-commander-maulana-masood-azhars-book-says |website=memri.org |publisher=[[Middle East Media Research Institute]] |accessdateaccess-date=9 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180228212106/https://www.memri.org/reports/forty-diseases-jews-%E2%80%93-pakistan-army-backed-jihadi-commander-maulana-masood-azhars-book-says |archive-date=2018-02-28 |url-status=live }}</ref> He has criticized the whole of [[Judaism]], calling it "another name for those beliefs, ideas, and practices which were invented by [[Satan]]."<ref>Shrenik Rao (19 February 2019), [https://www.haaretz.com/world-news/.premium-how-china-became-pakistan-s-partner-in-jihadist-terror-1.6940053 "China Is Now Pakistan's Partner in Jihadist Terror"], ''Haaretz''. Retrieved 12 May 2020.</ref>

*[[Mullah Omar|Mohammed Omar]]

*[[Osama Binbin Laden]]

*[http://www.globalsecurity.org/security/profiles/masood_azhar.htm Global Security profile] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303183804/http://www.globalsecurity.org/security/profiles/masood_azhar.htm |date=3 March 2016 }}

[[Category:People from Bahawalpur District]]