Pakistan raises Masood Azhar bounty ahead of FATF review

Pakistan has increased the bounty on Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar to 70 lakh rupees and listed him in its 2026 Federal Investigation Agency Red Book of most-wanted terrorists, a move widely seen as an effort to demonstrate counter-terrorism action ahead of a critical international review. The FIA announced the reward for information leading to Azhar's arrest, raising it from 50 lakh rupees set in 2021. The updated Red Book, which now contains 1,804 names, up from 1,330 in 2021, also includes 19 individuals linked to the 2008 Mumbai attacks. The development comes weeks before the Financial Action Task Force plenary meeting scheduled for October 26-30 in Paris. Pakistan is seeking to avoid being placed back on the FATF grey list, which subjects countries to increased monitoring for deficiencies in combating money laundering and terrorist financing. Pakistan was on the grey list from 2018 until 2022. Azhar, 58, is designated an international terrorist by the UN Security Council and is accused by Indian authorities of masterminding several major attacks, including the 2008 Mumbai attacks, the 2016 Pathankot airbase attack, and the 2019 Pulwama bombing.