Pakistan announces ₹70 lakh bounty on JEM founder Masood Azhar ahead of FATF plenary

Islamabad has added Jaish-e-Mohammed chief and UN-designated terrorist Masood Azhar to the Federal Investigation Agency's Red Book of most-wanted terrorists, announcing a ₹70 lakh reward for information leading to his capture. The move comes ahead of the FATF plenary scheduled for October and is seen as a symbolic step to demonstrate Pakistan's commitment to counter-terrorism.

However, the announcement raises questions given longstanding concerns over Pakistan's track record in tackling terror groups operating from its territory. In July 2025, Azhar was reportedly spotted in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir's Gilgit-Baltistan region, contradicting Pakistan's earlier claims that he had fled to Afghanistan. The Taliban regime has also rejected Pakistan's repeated assertions that Azhar operates from Afghan soil.

This is not Pakistan's first bounty offer for Azhar. The FIA had announced a ₹50 lakh reward in 2021. The latest Red Book also includes 19 other terrorists linked to the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.