Maulana Masood Azhar

Maulana Masood Azhar, a Pakistani terrorist and one of India's most wanted men, played a significant role in carrying out terror attacks in India. However, his path to notoriety and his release from an Indian jail were intricately linked to the hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight IC 814 in 1999.

Azhar's involvement in terrorism began at a young age. He fought as a Mujahideen in the Soviet-Afghan War and later became the general secretary of Harkat-ul-Ansar, a terrorist organization. In 1994, he was arrested in Srinagar and imprisoned in India on charges of terrorism.

In 1999, Harkat-ul-Ansar hijacked IC 814, demanding Azhar's release in exchange for the hostages. After six days, the Indian government relented, releasing Azhar and securing the hostages' freedom.

Upon his return to Pakistan, Azhar founded Jaish-e-Mohammed, a terrorist organization responsible for several attacks on Indian soil, including the 2001 Indian Parliament attack, the 2016 Pathankot air base attack, and the 2019 Pulwama attack.

Despite repeated attempts by India and the US to bring Azhar to justice, China's opposition at the UNSC thwarted efforts to sanction him until 2019.

Azhar's release from Indian custody in 1999 remains a controversial event, highlighting the complex dynamics of terrorism and international relations. His subsequent activities as the leader of Jaish-e-Mohammed continue to pose a significant threat to regional security.