Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi
New Delhi, Jul 4: The Central government has designated 23 Pakistan-based individuals as terrorists under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), citing their alleged involvement in terror recruitment, infiltration, arms smuggling, training and planning attacks in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued a gazette notification on Saturday, adding the names of the 23 individuals to the list of designated terrorists under the UAPA.
According to the notification, the individuals are linked to Pakistan-based terror outfits, including Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), and have allegedly played key roles in cross-border terrorism, including recruitment, infiltration, drone-based arms supply and planning attacks in Jammu and Kashmir.
Among those designated are three alleged close associates of LeT founder Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, three individuals accused of involvement in the 2016 Nagrota Army camp attack, and two linked to the 2018 Sunjwan Military Station attack.
The MHA identified Hafiz Saeed's close associates as Abdul Rauf, Hafiz Khalid Waleed and Rana Iftikhar.
According to the notification, Rana Iftikhar, 54, allegedly coordinates with anti-India militant organisations, recruits youths for terrorist activities and is a close associate of Hafiz Saeed.
Abdul Rauf, 52, who is associated with LeT and Jamaat-ud-Dawa, has been accused of planning and coordinating terror activities, collecting funds and operating under the direct command of Hafiz Saeed.
The UAPA empowers the Central government to designate individuals as terrorists if it believes they are involved in terrorism. Once listed, agencies such as the National Investigation Agency (NIA) can freeze their financial assets, seize properties and impose restrictions on arms transactions.
The provision to designate individuals as terrorists was introduced through the 2019 amendment to the UAPA. Before the amendment, only organisations could be declared terrorist entities.
With the latest notification, the total number of individuals designated as terrorists under the Act has risen to 80.
The list includes JeM operatives Masood Ilyas Kashmiri, Mohammad Musaddiq alias Doctor, Mufti Mohammad Asghar Khan alias Abu Saad, Hafiz Abdul Shakoor alias Qari Zarrar, Abdullah Jehadi, Ghulam Fareed, Maulana Imdad Ullah Makki and Waseem Noor Jat.
Among those linked to LeT are Firdous Ahmad Bhat, Haroon Rashid Ganai, Bilal Ahmad Mir, Abid Qayoom Lone, Nazir Ahmed Gujjar, Abdul Rauf alias Hafiz Abdul Rauf, Ashfaq Ahmad, Hafiz Khalid Waleed, Maulana Saifullah Khalid, Mohammad Yaqoob, Maulana Yousaf Taibi, Owais Farooz, Qari Yaqub Sheikh, Rana Iftikhar and Mohammed Shaheed Faisal, who has also been linked to Al Qaeda and ISIS.
The government said several of those designated were directly involved in major terror attacks and infiltration networks.
Masood Ilyas Kashmiri has been linked to the conspiracy behind the 2022 Sunjwan Army camp attack, while Mohammad Musaddiq allegedly coordinated infiltration and terror operations connected to the same attack.
Mufti Mohammad Asghar Khan has been identified as a key operative behind the infiltration network associated with the 2016 Nagrota Army camp attack.
Hafiz Abdul Shakoor is accused of facilitating infiltration and maintaining contact with local terror networks before the Nagrota attack.
Abdullah Jehadi, also known as Shah Nawaz or Al Hijama, allegedly assisted terrorists involved in the Nagrota attack and operated multiple JeM training camps.
LeT operative Firdous Ahmad Bhat has been identified as a "launching commander" responsible for infiltration and logistical support, while Bilal Ahmad Mir alias Ahmed Bhai, linked to LeT and The Resistance Front (TRF), has been accused of coordinating cross-border terror operations and supplying weapons.
According to the notification, all 23 individuals have been involved in terrorist recruitment, training, financing, arms supply, infiltration and execution of attacks.
The move comes as Indian security and intelligence agencies continue to intensify action against cross-border terror networks accused of using drones, encrypted communication platforms and online recruitment channels to sustain militant activities in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Centre has repeatedly reiterated its zero-tolerance policy against terrorism and recently unveiled the country's first comprehensive National Counter Terrorism Policy and Strategy, titled 'PRAHAAR', aimed at strengthening counter-terror operations, dismantling terror infrastructure and enhancing coordinated security responses.