‘Global Terrorist’ Masood Azhar is suffering from renal failure, and has therefore allowed his brother to take over JeM baton say reports
Jaish-e-Mohammed founder Masood Azhar’s is unwell deteriorating medical condition and his brother Abdul Rauf Asghar has taken over the reins of the outfit, a media report said today quoting top intelligence sources.
Azhar is suffering from renal failure and, is mostly confined to his quarters, the Times of India (TOI) said. He is said to be based at either Markaz Usman-O-Ali or Markaz Subhan Allah, both Jaish facilities at Bahawalpur in South Punjab.
The United Nations (UN) has designated Masood Azhar as a ‘global terrorist’. India has branded him as terrorist under its Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. During the Kandahar hijack of an Indian Airlines plane, Azhar was freed from an Indian jail in exchange for the passengers taken as hostage. His brother Abdul Rauf Asghar orchestrated the IC-814 hijacking and hostage swap.
“Masood Azhar is too unwell to oversee day-to-day operations of Jaish-e-Mohammed. His confinement to a well-guarded Jaish facility in Bahawalpur is possibly linked to his serious medical condition and the need to ensure his security in the aftermath of the IAF air strikes on Jaish terror camp in Balakot in February,” said the daily quoting an intelligence functionary. Before the IAF strikes, JeM cadre selected for more “active” duties were sent to Balakot for terror training.
Azhar’s USP is his fiery sermons. It is said he could turn “jihadi” recruits into committed fidayeen with his fiery sermons. His recorded sermons continue to do the job. Abdul Rauf Asghar has taken over planning and execution of JeM operations; he also delivers Friday sermons.
45-year-old Asghar was named by the Pakistan Interior Ministry among 44 under-observation members of proscribed organisations taken into custody in March 2019. His detention, like that of others on the wanted terrorist list, is more of “protective custody”. And he is able to move around with armed escort, according to reports. It is this ‘freedom’ that is enabling Asghar to visit Jaish training camps to motivate fighters. hatch terror conspiracies, organise resources and oversee their execution.
The ISI has reportedly directed Asghar to “escalate Jaish activities in Kashmir valley and beyond in the wake of India’s decision to scrap Article 370 that had given special status to Jammu & Kashmir.
The strike on Pathankot airbase in January 2016, the hit at Nagrota Army camp in November 2016 and, latest Pulwama terror attack are the handiwork of Asghar. After the Pathankot attack, he had warned of more lethal strikes in a message uploaded on Jaish-linked website ‘rangonoor’.