Pakistan arrests leader of banned Kashmiri militant group
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 16 January 2016 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Pakistan arrests leader of banned Kashmiri militant group, 16 January 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/56c4290827.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. |
January 16, 2016
Maulana Masood Azhar, leader of the Jaish-e-Mohammad group, in a November 2003 photo.
Pakistan has arrested the leader of an outlawed militant group that has fought Indian rule in Kashmir for decades in a sweep of militants suspected of attacking an Indian air base this month.
In addition to putting the leader of Jaish-e-Mohammad, Maulana Masood Azhar, into "protective custody," Pakistani authorities said January 15 they had closed several religious schools run by the group, which India charges was behind the attack that killed seven Indian soldiers on January 2.
The moves were in answer to Indian charges that Pakistan has been harboring the radicals. Concern about the attack led India to postpone previously scheduled talks between the two regional powers this week.
India says that phone intercepts suggest the gunmen in the assault on Pathankot air base came from Pakistan, though a Kashmir-based group, United Jehad Council, has claimed responsibility.
India has long sought Azhar, who is being held by Pakistani counterterrorism officials
While no charges have been filed against Azhar as yet, G. Parthasarthy, India's former high commissioner to Pakistan, said that "what has happened is setting the process for custodial interrogation. It doesn't amount to presumption of guilt or arrest."
Based on reporting by AP and Reuters
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
