Srinagar: France has decided to freeze the assets of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar, the French government said today.

A joint statement issued by the French interior ministry, finance ministry and foreign ministry said that France would discuss putting Masood Azhar on a European Union list of people involved in terrorism.

“A deadly attack took place in Pulwama on 14th February 2019, claiming over 40 victims from the Indian police forces. The Jaish-e-Mohammed, which the United Nations has deemed to be a terrorist organization since 2001, has claimed responsibility for this attack.”

“France has always been and always will be by India’s side in the fight against terrorism,” the statement said.

“We will raise this issue with our European partners with a view to including Masood Azhar on the European Union list of persons, groups and entities involved in terrorist acts, based on this decree.”