US tells Pakistan to take action against global terrorist Masood Azhar

As the nation is anticipation of a tough statement against terrorism, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his UNGA address, the United States' has, in a statement on Thursday, asked Pakistan to implement the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) action plan and to take action against Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar. In a press briefing in New York, on the sidelines of the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), US's acting assistant secretary for South and Central Asia, Alice Wells said that Pakistan must take action against Masood Azhar and others 'who have exploited Pakistan's soil for years'. 

".... I think what we would like to see are the conditions whereby India and Pakistan can have a constructive conversation that leads to an improvement of relations between the two nuclear powers.  And obviously, that is going to hinge off of them - off of counterterrorism, off of Pakistan's seriousness of effort in ensuring that groups don't take advantage and engage in cross-border infiltration, that there are serious steps to implement the Financial Action Task Force action plan that Pakistan has committed to, and which includes the prosecution of UN-designated terrorists,"  said Wells.  She also added: "So whether it's Hafiz Saeed who currently is in custody and under prosecution, but also leaders of Jaish-e-Mohammed, like Masood Azhar, who long have been able to exploit their presence on Pakistani soil." 

READ: Imran Khan's Naya Pakistan unleashes terror on own dissenting citizens

JeM chief a 'global terrorist'

The JeM is responsible for carrying out many terror attacks in India. Its terrorists attacked the Parliament building and Jammu and Kashmir State Legislative Assembly complex in 2001, killing nine and eight people respectively. Pathankot terror attack in 2016, Pulmawa attack in February this year was also carried by the JeM. In a big win for India, the United Nations in May this year designated JeM chief Azhar as 'global terrorist'. Earlier this month, the Indian government had also listed Azhar under the new anti-terror law Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Act, 1967. 

READ: Baloch activist in New York exposes 'Pakistan's terror project'

Tensions between India and Pakistan 

Earlier this year, JeM rammed his explosives-laden vehicle into a CRPF convoy in Kashmir's Pulwama. The terror incident martyred 40 CRPF personnel. In retaliation, the Indian Air Force hit a terror camp in Balakot in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. As India abrogated Article 370 in August, tensions with Pakistan increased. While Pakistan claimed that India has done injustice to the people of Kashmir by taking away their special status, India has maintained that revocation was done to safeguard the country from Pakistan sponsored cross-border terrorism. Pakistan, however, has urged the international community to intervene in the matter. India has clearly stated on international and national portals alike, that it is India's internal matter. 

(with ANI inputs)

READ: Pakistan PM Imran Khan reaches US in Saudi's 'special aircraft'

READ: Pakistani singer who threatened PM Modi with snakes faces jail