Pakistan lists Masood Azhar as most-wanted terrorist, raises reward ahead of FATF meet
Pakistan’s FIA has reportedly named Masood Azhar in its 2026 most-wanted terror list and raised the reward for information leading to his arrest to PKR 70 lakh
PTC Web Desk: Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has reportedly included Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar in its 2026 list of most-wanted terrorists, increasing the reward for information leading to his arrest to PKR 70 lakh.
The development comes ahead of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) plenary meeting scheduled for October, at a time when Pakistan is seeking to avoid being placed back on the global watchdog’s grey list.
The FIA earlier announced a reward of PKR 50 lakh for information on Azhar in 2021. The latest list raises that amount to PKR 70 lakh.
Pakistan has maintained for several years that Azhar is no longer in the country and had moved to Afghanistan. However, his inclusion in the latest FIA Red Book indicates that Pakistani authorities continue to officially list him as a wanted terrorist.
26/11 accused also feature in FIA Red Book
The revised FIA list reportedly includes 19 individuals accused of having links to the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. According to an ANI report, the suspects are accused of helping the attackers with funding, logistics and arrangements for their sea route to Mumbai.
Among them are 11 Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operatives allegedly involved in arranging boats used by the attackers. The vessels identified in the case were Al-Hussaini and Al-Fauz.
The names listed include Muhammad Amjad Khan, Shahid Gafoor, Mohammad Usman, Ateeq-ur-Rehman, Riaz Ahmad, Muhammad Mushtaq, Muhammad Naeem, Abdul Shakoor, Muhammad Sabir Salfi, Muhammad Usman and Shakeel Ahmed.
Six other suspects have reportedly been named over alleged financial support for the operation. They include Muhammad Iftikhar Ali, Mohammad Zia, Mohammad Abbas Nasir, Javed Iqbal, Mukhtar Ahmad and Ahmed Saeed.
According to the report, the alleged contributions ranged from tens of thousands of Pakistani rupees to PKR 21 lakh. Iftikhar Ali is also accused of spending PKR 70,000 to establish VOIP connections that were allegedly used by the attackers to communicate with their handlers.
India has long sought action against Masood Azhar
Azhar remains one of India's most-wanted terrorists. Indian authorities have linked him to several major attacks, including the 2001 Parliament attack, the 2008 Mumbai attacks, the 2016 Pathankot attack and the 2019 Pulwama attack.
The JeM founder was released by India in 1999 as part of a deal to secure the release of passengers taken hostage during the hijacking of Indian Airlines flight IC-814.
The United Nations has also designated Azhar as a global terrorist.
India has repeatedly accused Pakistan of denying or downplaying the presence of wanted terror figures on its soil, including Azhar and Lashkar-e-Taiba founder Hafiz Saeed.
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