Pakistan Cannot Hide Terror Masterminds Behind False Claims, Says BJP Leader; BRICS Zero-Tolerance Message a Diplomatic Setback for Terror Sponsors
Srinagar 15 September, 2026 (Umar Malik): Senior BJP leader and BJP J&K spokesperson Altaf Thakur on Tuesday termed Pakistan’s latest claims regarding Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar a “big fraud” and demanded that Islamabad hand him over to India instead of merely declaring him a fugitive.
Thakur alleged that Masood Azhar has not fled Pakistan and continues to remain under the protection of the country’s establishment, asserting that Islamabad knows his whereabouts. He said Pakistan must demonstrate sincerity in its counter-terrorism commitments through concrete action rather than announcements.
“Pakistan’s attempt to portray Masood Azhar as a fugitive is nothing but a big fraud and an exercise in deception. He has not disappeared from Pakistan; he is there, and Pakistan knows exactly where he is. If Islamabad is genuinely serious about fighting terrorism, it should hand him over to India instead of issuing statements and announcing rewards,” Thakur said.
His remarks followed reports that Pakistan had listed Azhar among its most-wanted terrorists and increased the reward for information leading to his arrest. Thakur questioned the timing of the move, suggesting that it came amid heightened international scrutiny of Pakistan’s record on terrorism.
He said the BRICS Summit hosted by India and its messaging on terrorism had further increased diplomatic pressure on countries accused of providing safe havens to terror groups.
“The successful BRICS Summit in India has once again exposed Pakistan’s terror ecosystem before the international community. The message coming from the summit is unambiguous—there can be no double standards on terrorism and no safe haven for terrorists,” he said.
Thakur said the New Delhi Declaration’s condemnation of the Pahalgam terror attack and its reaffirmation of zero tolerance towards terrorism represented an important development in the global fight against terrorism.
He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism with helping place terrorism and its support networks at the centre of international security discussions.
“Prime Minister Modi has made it clear that terrorism cannot be justified, romanticised or differentiated on the basis of who commits it or where it is committed. Terrorists, their handlers, financiers and those providing them shelter must all be held accountable,” he said.
Thakur further said India would not accept what he described as the longstanding practice of terror groups operating from Pakistani territory while Islamabad denies responsibility or claims ignorance.
“India has suffered enough because of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. The era when terrorists could attack India and then disappear across the border is over. The international community is increasingly recognising that terrorism cannot be defeated unless its infrastructure, financing, recruitment networks and safe havens are dismantled,” he said.
Calling the BRICS position an important diplomatic gain for India, Thakur said the participation of countries with differing strategic interests in a common call against terrorism demonstrated the growing international recognition of India’s concerns.
He urged Pakistan to prove its claims through verifiable action against Masood Azhar and other designated terrorists, dismantling terror infrastructure and ending the use of terrorism as an instrument of state policy.
“If Pakistan really wants to prove that it has changed, let it act against Masood Azhar and other internationally designated terrorists. Let it dismantle terror infrastructure operating from its territory. Let it stop using terrorism as an instrument of state policy. Until that happens, its claims will remain nothing more than a fraud on the international community,” Thakur said.
He reiterated India’s position that terrorism and dialogue cannot coexist, saying the country would continue working with the international community to ensure that those responsible for planning, financing or sheltering terrorists are brought to justice.
