Islamabad:The notorious face of terrorism, Pakistan, has once again been unmasked as Masood Azhar, the chief of the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror outfit, delivered his first public address in 20 years. In his venomous speech, Masood targeted the Prime Ministers of India and Israel, vowing to launch fresh jihadi campaigns against the two nations.
While JeM did not disclose the exact time and location of the speech, the circulation of Azhar’s video on digital platforms has brought Pakistan’s terror agenda into the spotlight. The speech has been confirmed as recent because Azhar referenced the ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza, a clear indication of its contemporaneity.
According to The Print, the speech likely took place late last month at the sprawling Umm-ul-Qura seminary and mosque complex near Bahawalpur, Pakistan. This facility, spanning thousands of acres, includes administrative and residential blocks. Despite Pakistan’s claims in 2019 of taking over the complex, local reports reveal that JeM maintains control, with armed guards preventing unauthorized entry.
Masood Azhar Calls for New Recruits
During his speech, Azhar called on his followers to join JeM, sparking applause from the audience, many of whom appeared to be militants. Chanting slogans like “India, your end is near!”, Azhar further incited his supporters to escalate their activities.
Venom Against Modi and Netanyahu
Azhar lashed out at Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He declared, “Shame on us that weak leaders like Modi and Netanyahu dare to challenge us. Modi, a coward, and Netanyahu, a rat, dance over our graves!” Azhar also invoked the Babri Masjid issue, asking his followers, “Are there not 300 people who can fight to reclaim Babri Masjid?”
Threatening India further, he added, “We will send powerful weapons to Kashmir, and TV anchors in India will shiver and ask where these arms came from.”
Digital Propaganda Exposed
JeM’s use of digital platforms to amplify its messages has been exposed again with the release of Azhar’s video. Indian intelligence agencies are monitoring the situation closely, highlighting that despite Pakistan’s claims to curb terrorism, groups like JeM continue to operate freely.
This incident underscores Pakistan’s duplicitous stance on terrorism, raising concerns on a global scale.