India vows to bring Jaish chief Azhar to justice

India has identified Azhar as the mastermind of the Pathankot terror attack on January 2, 2016. It has also blamed his brother Rauf and five others for carrying out the attack in which seven Indian soldiers were killed. “If I were to use a term, the matter is what we would call in judicial terms sub-judice. 

Currently the matter is with a UN committee. We hope that the committee will be able to fulfill its role in designating Masood Azhar who we have tried for quite some time but have not succeeded yet,” India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Syed Akbaruddin said. “However, we would like to make it very clear, we will pursue Masood Azhar so that the ends of justice are met,” he said in response to a question on India’s effort towards terrorist designation of Azhar, which has repeatedly been blocked by China. 

Home Minister Rajnath Singh ruled out talks with Pakistan. “Some people suggest that we should engage in dialogue with Pakistan. I would like to say that we are ready to talk to anyone... Till Pakistan does not stop its attempts to destabilise and weaken India by encouraging cross-border terrorism, holdings talks with it has no meaning.”