'Fear God': JeM chief Masood Azhar releases audio clip warning Pakistan after 'crackdown' on terror groups

Large parts of Azhar’s speech, peppered with anecdotes and personal stories, are devoted to mocking India and chiding Pakistan’s politicians for cracking down on the Jaish.

Praveen Swami|Mar 07, 2019, 12:12:08 IST

New Delhi: Hours after Pakistan announced the arrest of key Jaish-e-Mohammed leaders, the terror group's chief Masood Azhar Alvi issued a defiant message warning the country against efforts to rein in the internationally-proscribed jihadist group. The speech was released on Jaish-encrypted chat platforms early in the evening of 6 March.“Fear god,” Azhar said in the speech. “And stop persecuting the mosques, madrassas and mujahideen. Remember, that when a Muslim flees the battle against the hypocrites, the wrath of Allah is upon him.”[caption id="attachment_5070401" align="alignleft" width="380"]

File image of Masood Azhar. AFP[/caption]He goes on: “Fear not only the world community; fear God too. God can protect you from the world community, but it cannot protect you from god.”The speech also suggests that, in spite of the 6 March ban — and being held in what Pakistan describes as “preventive custody” since 2016 — Azhar remains active in affairs connected to the organisation. “Even as I was working on this speech,”, he stated, “Some work related to a congregation came up. My energies were diverted to writing a speech.”In the speech, the Jaish chief addressed claims that he had been killed, or died, after India’s 26 February air strike on Balakot.“There are reports the world over of my death. But, without doubt, God alone decides how long we are to live. Today is 4 March, 2019. The day has passed, Tuesday night is upon us, and I have no way of knowing whether I will be alive when you hear my words.”Large parts of Azhar’s speech, peppered with anecdotes and personal stories, are devoted to mocking India and chiding Pakistan’s politicians for cracking down on the Jaish.Prisoners at Jammu’s Kot Bhalwal jail, Azhar claimed, were often taken to an interrogation centre where he was “tortured for many days.” “When we were beaten,” he said. “We would try to suppress our screams. Then, one experienced prisoner told us we were making a mistake by doing this: if we screamed loudly, he said, the jailors would often ease up, fearful of killing you. I’ll share a story: we had a comrade with a particularly loud voice. As soon as a laathi fell near him, he let out such a shriek that the jailor ran away.”“Today,” Azhar said. “This formula has been adopted by India: it is getting thrashed, but screaming so loudly that our leaders have started quaking.”

Sikkim tunnel collapse rescue resumes, death toll rises to 22

The death toll at the collapsed tunnel at Sikkim's Namchi district rose to 22 after nine more bodies were recovered overnight. At least 27 workers were trapped in a tunnel at an NHPC project after a sudden burst of suspected methane gas trapped within rock formations triggered an explosion.

2 min read

Delhi Police asks personnel to wear uniform: What the law says on cops in plainclothes during protests

The Delhi Police has instructed all its personnel to wear uniforms when they report for duty at Jantar Mantar for crowd control. This comes after outrage grew over videos of men in civilian clothes or without name tags hitting protesters in the Capital. Is it legal for the police to ditch uniforms during protests?

4 min read

No premium queues, 30-minute target: What changes for Indian passport applicants in UAE

Indian passport applicants in the UAE can now access passport, visa and attestation services through Alhind’s 16 centres, with no premium queues, a Dh19 service fee and a target of completing applications within 30 minutes

4 min read

CJP Protest in Delhi Live Updates: Delhi metro shuts 16 stations as protests continue in Jantar Mantar

CJP Protest in Delhi Live Updates: Heavy security has been deployed at the Jantar Mantar in Delhi, where the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) is continuing its protest demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the recent paper leaks controversy

1 min read

Bharat Forge, Flying Whales sign pact to develop 60-tonne airships for India’s defence logistics

Bharat Forge has signed an MoU with Flying Whales to jointly develop and manufacture 60-tonne heavy-lift airships in India for defence logistics, strategic mobility and disaster response

3 min read

Up Next