Terror firma

Past sanctions did not cramp the freedom of terror groups

The United Nations’ (UN) sanctions under the Security Council Resolution 1267, designating Masood Azhar and his three colleagues global terrorists, are undoubtedly a cause for celebration, as much for the action itself as the diplomatic signalling following China’s acquiescence after almost a decade of stalling. Azhar and his organisation, Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), have been responsible for an escalating level of terrorist attacks on Indian territory — from the attack on the Indian Parliament in 2001 to the ambush at Pulwama in February 2019. Given Pakistan’s status as an acknowledged Chinese client, the Security Council resolution is no small gain for India,