Jaish-e-Muhammad's Masood Azhar calls for action to protect Rohingyas in Myanmar

Supporters of the banned Islamic militant group Jaish-e-Mohammed stage a rally in Multan for the release of their leader Maulana Azhar Masood on December 28, 2001. Masood was put under house arrest by Pakistani authorites after India blamed his group for December 13 attack on the Indian parliament which killed 14 people, including five assailants. REUTERS/ Asim Tanveer ZH/RCS - RP3DRIDBESAA

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Wanted terrorist Jaish-e Muhammad's Maulana Masood Azhar has asked followers to prepare for action to aid Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar, reported the Indian Express.

The move could possibly trigger terrorist violence in the South Asian country, especially on the borders it shares with Bangladesh.

In al-Qalam, the terror group's magazine, Masood Azhar, warned Myanmar "for the thundering sound of its conquerors".

Masood Azhar wrote in his column: "It is because of the sacrifices of the Myanmar Muslims that the ummah (nation) is waking up and we are seeing this new awakening among the Muslims of the world… The entire Muslim ummah [nation] is feeling the pain of the Muslim nation."

Also Read: Where does India stand on the Rohingya refugee issue?

Earlier, several Muslim bodies had responded with stern reactions on Myanmar government’s crackdown against Rohingya Muslims.

New Delhi has been demanding a UN sanction to block Masood Azhar once and for all. India's move has been blocked by China that has stopped the international community to designate him as a terrorist.

Masood Azhar is accused of being behind several terror activities including masterminding the Pathankot airbase attack in January 2016 that led to the death of seven security personnel and one civilian.

Pakistan also took an official stand in favour of the Rohingya Muslims stating:  “In line with its consistent position on protecting the rights of Muslim minorities worldwide, Pakistan will work with the international community, in particular, the OIC to express solidarity with the Rohingya Muslims and to work towards safeguarding their rights", as per a report in Pakistani newspaper Dawn.

Also Read: United Nations says 313,000 Rohingya have fled to Bangladesh

The violence in Myanmar erupted following an attack by a Rohingya insurgent group on police and military posts in Rakhine state leading to a violent lash-out by the Myanmar army.

As per official figures, the death toll in the clash has climbed up to 400 and some 29,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled to Bangladesh to escape the violence.

Masood Azhar’s call for action could lead to more trouble brewing in the already-disturbed Rakhine state in Myanmar.

The Indian Express report also states that as per Indian intelligence Jaish operatives helped provide training to Rohingya jihadists at camps run in Bangladesh’s Chittagong Hill Tracts in 2013-14.

Also Read: Rohingya exodus to Bangladesh nears 300,000

Back in 2012, Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e Taiba also held a conference to highlight the Rohingya issue and tried establishing contact with the Rohingya refugees there.