Filing of chargesheet against Azhar ‘huge breakthrough’: Rijiju

New Delhi: Calling filing of chargesheet against Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) Chief Masood Azhar as ‘huge breakthrough’, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Monday said the process of extradition of Azhar, his brother Abdul Rauf Asghar and two handlers – Shahid Latif and Kashif Jan would begin soon.

Dubbing Pakistan as incurable, Rijiju said it is globally known fact that Pakistan is sheltering these two brothers. “Pakistan is already under pressure. The world knows that these two brothers are living in Pakistan and doing all kinds of terror acts," he said.

What Rijiju told media persons here?

• A total of eight people were involved in the terror attack at Pathankot.
• Four are dead and four are alive and living in Pakistan.
• Since the chargesheet has been filed, the process of extraditing them from Pakistan will begin with the issuance of Interpol Red Corner Notice.

The National Investigative Agency (NIA) filed the charge-sheet against Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) Chief Masood Azhar for masterminding the terror attack on the Pathankot Airbase in January last.

The charge-sheet was filed in the Panchkula special court against Azah, his brother Abdul Rauf Asghar and two handlers – Shahid Latif and Kashif Jan for offences under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including the Arms Act, the Explosive Substances Act and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act.

The charge-sheet stated that JeM operatives Nasir Hussain, Hafiz Abu Bakar, Umar Farooq and Abdul Qayum also executed the terror attack at the airbase on January 2 last.

Also read: NIA files charge-sheet in Pathankot Airbase terrorist attack