Archive · 15 Sep 2026
India Calls Pakistan’s Masood Azhar Bounty Hike Gimmick
India says Pakistan’s bigger reward for finding Masood Azhar is only a publicity move.
Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency increased the reward from PKR 50 lakh to PKR 70 lakh.
The first reward was announced in 2021.
Pakistan has said that Azhar is no longer in Pakistan.
It has claimed that he escaped to Afghanistan.
Kabul has rejected that claim.
Afghan authorities said their territory would not be used against another country.
The disagreement is connected to efforts to avoid international action against Azhar.
India dismissed Pakistan’s increase in the reward for Masood Azhar as a gimmick.
Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency raised the bounty from PKR 50 lakh to PKR 70 lakh.
The agency initially announced the PKR 50 lakh reward in 2021.
Pakistan has claimed since 2021 that Azhar left the country and fled to Afghanistan.
Kabul rejected Pakistan’s claims and said Afghan territory would not be used against another nation.
- Who
- India, Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency, Masood Azhar, and Kabul are involved.
- What
- Pakistan increased its reward for information leading to Masood Azhar, while India called the move a gimmick.
- When
- The original reward was announced in 2021; the article reports a subsequent increase to PKR 70 lakh.
- Where
- The dispute concerns Pakistan and claims that Azhar fled to Afghanistan.
- Why
- The article says Pakistan has made the claims to evade international action against Azhar.
India and Kabul’s Position
Pakistan’s Position
Meaning of the bounty increase
India and Kabul’s Position
India dismissed the increase from PKR 50 lakh to PKR 70 lakh as a gimmick.
Pakistan’s Position
Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency raised the reward, presenting it as a higher bounty for information about Masood Azhar.
Masood Azhar’s whereabouts
India and Kabul’s Position
Kabul rejected Pakistan’s repeated claim that Azhar is operating from Afghanistan and said Afghan territory would not be used against another country.
Pakistan’s Position
Pakistan has claimed since 2021 that Azhar left Pakistan and fled to Afghanistan.
- Person concerned
- Masood Azhar
- Original reward
- PKR 50 lakh
- New reward
- PKR 70 lakh
- Original reward date
- 2021
- Pakistan’s claim
- Azhar was no longer in Pakistan and had fled to Afghanistan
- India’s assessment
- The bounty increase is a gimmick
- Kabul’s position
- Afghan territory will not be used against another nation