Masood Azhar, the leader of the Pakistan-based terrorist group Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), has reportedly suffered a heart attack in Pakistan. Azhar, who has long been on India’s most-wanted list for his role in masterminding multiple high-profile terror attacks, including the 2001 Indian Parliament attack and the 2016 Uri attack, is currently under medical care.
Sources in Pakistan suggest that Azhar was admitted to a hospital in Pakistan’s Rawalpindi after suffering a severe heart attack. His condition is said to be stable, though medical details remain unclear. Azhar’s health incident has become a point of concern, especially given his significant role in cross-border terrorism and his links to several deadly attacks on Indian soil.
Masood Azhar, who founded Jaish-e-Mohammad in the 1990s, has been a thorn in the side of India for years. His group was responsible for the 2016 Pulwama attack, which killed over 40 Indian paramilitary personnel, and the 1999 hijacking of Indian Airlines flight IC-814, among other attacks. The Indian government has repeatedly called for his extradition, though Pakistan has shielded him for years, citing insufficient evidence.
Azhar’s heart attack comes at a time when relations between India and Pakistan remain strained. Despite international pressure, Pakistan has been accused of providing safe haven to terrorists like Azhar, a matter that has been a source of contention in bilateral talks and international forums.
India has long demanded that Pakistan take decisive action against terrorist groups operating from its soil, with Azhar being one of the most high-profile figures in this regard. His continued presence in Pakistan, despite being named in several UN-designated terror lists, has been a major point of friction between the two countries.
The health scare involving Azhar raises questions about the future of his group’s operations and whether it might lead to a shift in Pakistan’s approach towards combating terrorism. However, experts are cautious, pointing out that it remains to be seen how Pakistan will respond, especially given its past record of allowing militant groups to operate freely.
India, meanwhile, continues to maintain that Pakistan’s failure to act against known terrorists like Azhar is a serious hindrance to peace and security in the region. The Indian government has reiterated its stance that until Pakistan takes action against individuals like Azhar, the path to meaningful dialogue and cooperation remains blocked.
Azhar’s health situation is likely to fuel further discussions on the broader issue of cross-border terrorism and Pakistan’s role in harboring terrorists. As the incident develops, both countries will likely face growing pressure from the international community to address the threat of terrorism more effectively.
India’s concerns over Azhar’s health are compounded by the broader issue of accountability and action on terrorism in the region, with many calling for stronger international mechanisms to ensure that figures like Azhar no longer enjoy impunity. The focus remains on holding those responsible for terrorism to account and ensuring that peace and security take precedence in the region.
