The Government of India on Tuesday said the claims by Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi that JeM chief Masood Azhar is ‘unwell’ must be taken with a
“pinch of salt”.
“We have occasions in the past when it was claimed that certain people were living when they were dead….I refer to Mullah Omar and also about Osama Bin Laden when it was told some people were about to die. Our effort thus has to be bring Masood Azhar to book,” a key functionary said here.
Sources, however, said getting Azhar listed by the UNSC will be “only a beginning” and the Modi government is keen to get other Pakistan-based terrorists also blacklisted. “We will continue to work
with all the members of UNSC and others as well”.
In this context, he said “no stone will be left un-turned by us”.
The official analysts also feel that getting Azhar sanctioned by the UNSC – as the fresh proposal moved by France, the US and Britain suggests – will give a major signal.
The government of India also sees that a press statement by the UNSC that includes China had named Jaish-e-Mohammad for being responsible for the attack on CRPF personnel in Pulwama.
“That statement also said that Pakistan should take action….These were all positive signs”.
On this backdrop, sources pointed out that External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj traveled to China and also tried to convince the authorities in China about Pakistani role on terror. (UNI)
