On March 13, the final day, China placed a hold on the proposal, saying more time was needed to discuss the matter. This was the fourth time China blocked the designation of Azhar even though JeM was proscribed by the UN in October 2001. The development infuriated the US and its allies, which circulated a draft resolution on listing Azhar among the UN Security Council’s members to force China’s hand. Azhar was released on December 31, 1999, in a hostage swap at Kandahar airport after an Indian airliner was hijacked by Pakistani terrorists. Three of his kin, including two nephews, have been gunned down by security forces in Jammu and Kashmir since 2017.

Source: Hindustan Times April 30, 2019 01:55 UTC