Pakistan has increased the reward for information leading to the arrest of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar to 7 million Pakistani rupees, even as the country’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) continues to list him among its most-wanted terrorists. Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
The increased bounty is equivalent to around Rs 24.09 lakh in Indian currency. Azhar’s name remains included in the FIA’s official records, including its 2026 Red Book of Most Wanted High-Profile Terrorists.
Pakistan has repeatedly maintained that Azhar is not currently in the country and has claimed that he fled to Afghanistan. Despite these assertions, he continues to feature on the FIA’s wanted list.
Azhar, 58, is the founder and chief of Jaish-e-Mohammed, a Pakistan-based militant organisation that has been linked to several major terrorist attacks in India. The group has traditionally been associated with Bahawalpur in Pakistan, which was among the locations targeted by India during Operation Sindoor.
The United Nations Security Council has designated Azhar as an international terrorist.
Masood Azhar’s Links to Major Attacks
Masood Azhar has long been a central figure in India’s allegations of cross-border terrorism. Jaish-e-Mohammed has been linked by Indian authorities to several major attacks, including the 2001 Parliament attack, the 2016 Pathankot airbase attack and the 2019 Pulwama bombing.
The group has also been associated with the wider militant network involved in the 2008 Mumbai attacks.
Azhar’s name again came into focus following the November 2025 blast near Delhi’s Red Fort.
How Masood Azhar Was Released From Indian Custody
Azhar was previously held in an Indian prison before being released in December 1999 following the hijacking of Indian Airlines flight IC-814.
Five armed hijackers seized the aircraft while it was flying from Kathmandu to Delhi. The plane was subsequently diverted through Amritsar, Lahore and Dubai before being taken to Kandahar in Afghanistan, which was then under Taliban control.
After days of negotiations and a prolonged hostage crisis, India agreed to release Azhar and two other jailed militants in exchange for the passengers.
Following his release, Azhar went on to establish Jaish-e-Mohammed around 1999–2000.
Azhar’s Family Members Reportedly Killed in Operation Sindoor
Masood Azhar also came under renewed attention after India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 following the Pahalgam terror attack.
Indian strikes targeted nine locations described by New Delhi as terrorist infrastructure.
Reports said several members of Azhar’s family were killed during the strikes. Among those reportedly killed were his elder sister, her husband, a nephew, the nephew’s wife, a niece and five children from the extended family. Four of his aides were also reported to have been killed.
Azhar himself survived the operation.
FATF Meeting in October
The development comes ahead of the Financial Action Task Force’s October 2026 plenary meeting in Paris, scheduled for October 26–30.
FATF discussions include issues related to money laundering and terrorist financing, as well as reviews concerning countries subject to enhanced monitoring.
Pakistan’s continued listing of Masood Azhar as a most-wanted terrorist, despite its repeated claims that he is no longer in the country, is likely to draw further attention to questions surrounding the whereabouts of the JeM chief and action against militant networks operating from the region.
You Might Also Like:
Education In Kashmir with Complete Statistics
TCS Nashik ‘Conversion’ Scandal: Accused Nida Khan Suspended as Sexual Harassment and Coercion Probe Intensifies