New Delhi: Though the designation of Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist by the United Nations was welcomed by the Congress party, it expressed disappointment that the listing does not mention the ghastly Pulwama terror attack perpetrated by the proscribed terror outfit in India. The party also said that the reasons for listing of Azhar have no reference to Jammu and Kashmir.

The United Nation in its narrative summary of reasons for listing of Azhar said Mohammad Masood Azhar Alvi was listed on 1 May 2019 pursuant to paragraphs 2 and 4 of resolution 2368 (2017) as being associated with Al-Qaida for “participating in the financing, planning, facilitating, preparing, or perpetrating of acts or activities by, in conjunction with, under the name of, on behalf of, or in support of”, “supplying, selling or transferring arms and related material to”, “recruiting for”, “otherwise supporting acts or activities of”, and “other acts or activities indicating association with: Jaish-i-Mohammed.”

Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala tweeted soon after India’s diplomatic win at the international podium and stated that Azhar’s belated declaration doesn't mention Pulwama/Jammu and Kashmir while listing Azhar's role in terrorist activities.

"Pakistan-based Masood Azhar's belated declaration as a global terrorist by UN is surely a welcome step. India's fight against terrorism is resolute. We are disappointed that UN listing doesn't mention Pulwama/J&K while listing Azhar's role in terrorist activities," he tweeted.

The party said it expected the Modi government to act with a "greater speed" in pursuing the case with China as several precious lives in terror attacks such as the one in Pulwama could have been avoided. The Modi government should now push for a declaration of bounty on Azhar's head as was ensured by the UPA in the case of Mumbai terror attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed, the Congress said.


Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister also Omar Abdullah alleged that the sacrifices of CRPF men were sold down the river for a symbolic win. "No mention of terror in Kashmir & no mention of Pulwama. It's amazing how quickly the sacrifices of the CRPF men were sold down the river to get a symbolic win," he said.

“Masood Azhar Alvi founded Jaish-i-Mohammed (JEM) upon his release from prison in India in 1999.  Azhar was released from prison in exchange for 155 hostages held on an Indian Airlines flight that had been hijacked to Kandahar, Afghanistan. Azhar has also financially supported JEM since its founding,” UNSC mentioned in the summary.

The UN Security Council listed JEM on October 17, 2001, as being associated with Al-Qaida, Usama bin Laden, and the Taliban for “participating in the financing, planning, facilitating, preparing or perpetrating of acts or activities by, in conjunction with, under the name of, on behalf or in support of”, “supplying, selling or transferring arms and related materiel to” or “otherwise supporting acts or activities of” Al-Qaida Usama bin Laden and the Taliban, the world organization said.