Pakistan takes Masood Azhar's brother, 43 other militants into preventive custody

Islamabad : Jaish-e-Mohammad's chief Masood Azhar's brother and 43 other suspected militants have been taken into preventive custody by the Pakistani authorities. The action comes amid rising global pressure on Islamabad to rein in the terror groups operating on its soil.

Mufti Abdur Rauf, brother of Azhar, and Hammad Azhar are among the 44 suspected militants arrested during the crackdown, Minister of State for Interior Shehryar Khan Afridi said at a press conference in Islamabad.

He said a dossier shared by India with Pakistan last week also contained names of Mufti Abdur Rauf and Hammad Azhar.

The crackdown on the banned group comes amid tensions between India and Pakistan that turned sharp after a fidayeen attack by JeM militant on India's CRPF convoy in Pulwama. 40 soldiers were martyred after a bomb-laden car had struck the bus of convoy.

The minister, however, said the action was not taken due to any pressure. He said the action would be taken against all the proscribed organisations under the National Action Plan.

He also mentioned that any action against the arrested people will be taken only based on the evidences.

The minister said that his government's policy is that Pakistan's soil will not be allowed for terror activities against any one.