When a rumour starts on social media, it takes on a life of its own. The confirmation bias of social media users gives the rumour wings and the hitherto unconfirmed becomes gospel truth that one may question at one's own peril. So when admittedly unconfirmed reports (from many reputed publications) of the death of terrorist and Pulwama mastermind Masood Azhar surfaced, social media was quick to believe and spread this ‘news’.
Many social media handles with large followings were declaring that Pulwama mastermind Masood Azhar was dead.
Several online and offline publications reported that there were reports of Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist Masood Azhar having died.
While many publications had rushed to ‘report’ the unconfirmed news, others reported that intelligence agencies were trying to ascertain the veracity of the news.
The Pakistani Finance Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi made what appeared to be a typical politician-like gaffe. In this video, he is cornered by the interviewer and is forced to admit that the terrorist does, in fact, operate out of Pakistan. Later, Qureshi also admitted that terror mastermind Masood Azhar was unwell and that he was very much in Pakistan; a rather embarrassing self-goal for the Pak establishment!
A PTI report quoting officials has said this: “Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar is undergoing regular dialysis for renal failure at a Pakistan military hospital in Rawalpindi”.
Mazood Azhar is alive but unwell and that he needs dialysis and regular medical attention. Most importantly, this reveals that not only does Pakistan know where he is; the Pak army is harbouring this terror mastermind; giving him treatment at a military hospital; the headquarters of the Pak army.
Now that it is widely accepted that terror outfits based in and supported by the Pak deep state carry out attacks upon Indians on Indian soil, the international community has also started to voice its support for the Indian position. The United States, France and the United Kingdom have moved a fresh proposal in the UN Security Council to designate the Pak based JeM chief as a global terrorist.
Reports now indicate that Pak may take ‘decisive action’ against terror that emanates from its territories. This is hugely significant. Reports also state that Pak may now withdraw its opposition to the move to list terror outfit's chief Masood Azhar in the UN Security Council terror list. This is a huge moral and actual victory for India, since we have long suffered at the hands of Pak sponsored & supported terror.
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