In a move that will create tensions with India, China has extended its decision to put a technical hold on the United Nations declaring Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed's chief Massod Azhar a terrorist.
This extension comes on the eve of the lapsing of its earlier decision in April to block action against Azhar, which would have now automatically led to Azhar, whom India brands the mastermind behind the Pathankot mastermind, being declared a terrorist.
An official in the Chinese government confirmed that technical hold on declaring Azhar as a terrorist has been extended.
In April, China had blocked India's move to label Azhar, a decision had angered New Delhi which has been trying to convince Beijing to reconsider the decision.
Beijing's latest move comes nearly two weeks after four Pakistani terrorists killed 18 Indian soldiers in a raid in Jammu and Kashmir's Uri.
China has voiced concerns over the menace of terrorism, but it been soft on its "all-weather ally" Pakistan, which has been accused by India of harbouring terrorists, despite India repeatedly telling China that it has been affected by cross-border terrorism.
