Washington: On Wednesday, The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) will make a vital decision on designating Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Maulana Masood Azhar as an international terrorist. A day ahead of the crucial decision, the US, on Tuesday said that there was enough evidence to designate Azhar as a global terrorist and not doing so is against regional stability and peace. Earlier, several attempts by the permanent members of UNSC- US, France and Britain, have been let down by China, which has been Pakistan's all-weather assistant and holds veto power at the UN body.

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US State Department Deputy Spokesperson Robert Palladino said "Azhar is the founder and the leader of the JeM, and he meets the criteria for designation by the United Nations," on Tuesday. He further said that JeM is a threat to regional peace and security. He further said "The United Nations Sanctions Committee, their deliberations, are confidential, and as such we don't comment on specific matters, but we'll continue to work with the Sanctions Committee to ensure that the designation list is updated and accurate... The United States and China share a mutual interest in achieving regional stability and peace, and that a failure to designate Azhar would run counter to this goal,".

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It is to be noted that, Jaish-e-Mohammed, the organisation founded and headed by Azhar has been responsible for a number of attacks in India including the 2001 attack on Parliament, Pathankot air base, attack on an Army camp in Uri and the most recent Pulwama attack which resulted in the death of 40 CRPF personnel. The latest UNSC declaration has been moved by the permanent members of UNSC following India's diplomatic efforts in the wake of the February 14 Pulwama attack.