India protests block on UN blacklisting of Pakistani militant leader
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 2 April 2016 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, India protests block on UN blacklisting of Pakistani militant leader, 2 April 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5768ffd615.html [accessed 30 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
April 02, 2016
Jaish-e-Muhammad leader Maulana Masood Azhar, seen in November 2003
India is protesting that its bid to put a top Pakistani militant leader on a United Nations terror blacklist is being blocked.
New Delhi wants the UN Security Council committee that monitors sanctions against extremist groups like Al-Qaeda and Islamic State to designate Maulana Masood Azhar as a terrorist. He is leader of the Pakistan-based group Jaish-e-Muhammad, or Muhammad's Army, which is already on the blacklist.
India has accused the group of masterminding an attack on its Pathankot air base on January 2, which killed seven Indian soldiers. The group was also blamed for a 2001 attack on India's parliament.
Indian Foreign Ministry spokesman Vikas Swarup said the failure to list Azhar is "incomprehensible" and demonstrates "a selective approach to combating terrorism" which could have "dangerous consequences" for India and the world community.
UN diplomats said China put a "technical hold" on the designation. China is a permanent member of the council and has longstanding ties to Pakistan, which has said it found no evidence linking Azhar to the Pathankot attack.
Based on reporting by AP and Reuters
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
