Pakistan names Jaish chief Masood Azhar among most wanted terrorists, hikes bounty to PKR 70 lakh ahead of FATF review

Pakistan's anti-terrorism agency has announced its 2026 list of most wanted terrorists, placing Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar among the individuals targeted. The reward for information leading to Azhar's capture has been increased from PKR 20 lakh to PKR 70 lakh. This decision comes ahead of the upcoming Financial Action Task Force (FATF) meeting in October, as Pakistan aims to avoid being placed back on the grey list.

The FATF, a global body setting anti-money laundering and terrorist financing standards, has previously flagged Pakistan for not adequately addressing the presence of Azhar and Lashkar-e-Taiba chief Hafiz Saeed within its borders. Pakistan had claimed since 2021 that Azhar had fled to Afghanistan, but the FIA maintained that he remains in the country.

In 2021, the FIA offered a PKR 50 lakh reward for information leading to his arrest, which has now been raised to PKR 70 lakh. Additionally, the agency's latest Red Book names 19 terrorists linked to the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, accusing 11 individuals of supporting the attackers through funding, logistics assistance, or boat arrangements.

These 11 individuals are associated with Lashkar-e-Taiba. The list also identifies six individuals accused of financing the 26/11 attacks. Masood Azhar, who has ties to various high-profile attacks including the 2001 Parliament attack and the 2008 Mumbai attacks, is among India's most-wanted terrorists. An exchange between India and Pakistan in 1999 saw Azhar released in exchange for passengers seized during the IC-814 hijacking.

India has consistently accused Pakistan of ignoring its presence and involvement in terrorist activities.