Pulwama terror attack played major role in Masood Azhar’s listing as global terrorist by United Nations: MEA

Pulwama terror attack played major role in Masood Azhar’s listing as global terrorist by United Nations: MEA

PTIUpdated: Wednesday, May 29, 2019, 08:26 PM IST
article-image

New Delhi: The Pulwama terror attack played a role in designation of JeM chief Masood Azhar as global terrorist by the UN, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Thursday, asserting that Pakistan was making claims over the listing to divert attention from the “huge diplomatic” setback it has suffered.

The assertion came after Pakistan claimed that it agreed to Azhar’s listing after all “political references”, including attempts to link him to the Pulwama attack, were removed from the proposal to designate him a global terrorist. “The designation is not based on the basis of a specific incident, but on the basis of evidence which we have shared with members of the UN’s 1267 Sanctions Committee, linking Azhar to several acts of terrorism,” Ministry of External Affairs spokesperon Raveesh Kumar said at a media briefing.

He said the notification broadly covers all terrorist acts. “Elements are being introduced by Pakistan to divert attention from this huge diplomatic setback,” Kumar said. Asked whether India offered something to China for Azhar’s listing, he asserted that India doesn’t negotiate on matters related to national security.

“Our objective was to ensure designation of Masood Azhar as global terrorist,” he said. The Pulwama terror attack played a role in Azhar’s designation, the spokesperson said, adding that China’s support to Azhar’s listing will contribute to better Sino-India ties.

In a huge diplomatic victory for India, the UN Sanctions Committee on Wednesday designated Azhar as global terrorist after China lifted its hold on a proposal to ban him. France, the UK and the US had moved a fresh proposal to declare Azhar as global terrorist by the UN in the wake of the February 14 Pulwama terror attack in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed.

The JeM had claimed responsibility for the attack. However, China put a technical hold on the proposal, blocking it for a fourth time to designate Azhar a global terrorist.India had termed the Chinese move as “disappointing”. On Wednesday, China lifted its hold from the proposal.

A UN Security Council (UNSC) designation will subject Azhar to an assets freeze, travel ban and an arms embargo. An assets freeze under the sanctions committee requires that all states freeze without delay the funds and other financial assets or economic resources of designated individuals and entities.

In 2009, India first moved a proposal by itself to designate Azhar a global terrorist. In 2016 again, India moved the proposal with the P3 — the United States, the United Kingdom and France — in the UN’s 1267 Sanctions Committee to ban Azhar, also the mastermind of the attack on the Pathankot airbase in January 2016. In 2017, the P3 nations moved a similar proposal again.However, on all occasions China, a veto-wielding permanent  member of the UNSC, blocked India’s proposal from being adopted by the Sanctions Committee.

RECENT STORIES

Noida Man Slits Girlfriend's Throat After Altercation; Later Tries To Kill Himself

Noida Man Slits Girlfriend's Throat After Altercation; Later Tries To Kill Himself

'I Was Yours & Will Remain Yours': Varun Gandhi Pens Emotional Letter To Pilibhit Constituents After...

'I Was Yours & Will Remain Yours': Varun Gandhi Pens Emotional Letter To Pilibhit Constituents After...

Haryana Brutality: Security Guard Dies After Being Mercilessly Smashed In Head With Stones

Haryana Brutality: Security Guard Dies After Being Mercilessly Smashed In Head With Stones

Karnataka Bus Conductor Charges Grandmother ₹444 For Carrying Parrots In Cage

Karnataka Bus Conductor Charges Grandmother ₹444 For Carrying Parrots In Cage

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, Wife Dr Gurpreet Kaur Blessed With Baby Girl, Shares Picture Of Newly Born

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, Wife Dr Gurpreet Kaur Blessed With Baby Girl, Shares Picture Of Newly Born