JeM included in Security Council counter-terrorism list, we have dealt with Masood Azhar issue professionally: China

China said today that it had dealt with the issue of Masood Azhar, the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief, in "an earnest, professional and responsible manner".

Just after the Pulwama attack on Thursday, India's ministry of external affair had called on the member of the international community to list JeM chief Masood Azhar under the 1267 sanctions committee of United Nation security council (UNSC). 

The MEA had said,"We strongly reiterate our appeal to all members of the international community to support the proposal to list terrorists, including JeM Chief Masood Azhar, as a designated terrorist under the 1267 Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council and to ban terrorist organisations operating from territories controlled by Pakistan."

China has repeatedly blocked listing of Masood Azhar as an internationally-designated terrorist under the UNSC 1267 Committee.

Today China's foreign ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said: “As to the issue of the listing, I can tell you that 1267 committee of the Security Council has clear stipulations on the listing and the procedure of terrorist organization and individuals and the JeM which has taken the responsibility of the attack has been included on the Security Council counter-terrorism list.”

"As to the listing of the individual, we have always dealt with the issue in an earnest, professional and responsible manner," he added.

The Chinese foreign ministry said it was "deeply shocked" over the Pulwama attack and offered "condolences and sympathies to the injured and families of the bereaved."

“We are deeply shocked by this attack. We offer our condolences and sympathies to the injured and families of the bereaved. We firmly oppose and strongly condemn all form of terrorism,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said.

“We hope all relevant regional countries will cooperate to deal with the threat of terrorism and jointly uphold the regional peace and stability,” he said.

India in February 2016 had approached the UN Security Council(UNSC) Sanctions Committee with the proposal to designate Masood Azhar under the 1267 sanction regime. While the US, UK and France backed India's bid, China continued to block it.

While condemning the attack, India's foreign ministry said, "Government of India is firmly and resolutely committed to taking all necessary measures to safeguard national security."