The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has designated 23 Pakistan-based operatives linked to banned terrorist organisations as individual terrorists under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
The move is aimed at strengthening India’s counter-terrorism framework by targeting individuals accused of facilitating infiltration, recruitment, arms smuggling and terror attacks, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir.
With the latest notifications, the total number of individuals designated as terrorists under the UAPA has risen to 80.
MHA Expands List of Designated Terrorists
The Home Ministry issued notifications naming 23 Pakistan-based individuals associated with terrorist organisations, including Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and other banned outfits.
According to the ministry, the individuals have allegedly played key roles in cross-border terrorism by recruiting operatives, facilitating infiltration into India, supplying weapons and planning attacks targeting security forces and civilians.
The government said the action reflects its continued commitment to dismantling terror infrastructure and disrupting support networks operating from across the border.
Why the UAPA Designation Matters
The provision to designate individuals as terrorists was introduced through amendments to the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in 2019.
Before the amendment, only organisations could be declared terrorist entities. The revised law allows the government to identify individual operatives as terrorists, enabling investigating agencies to freeze assets, block funding channels, impose restrictions on arms access and take other legal measures against those named.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) and other security agencies can also use the designation to strengthen investigations and coordinate enforcement actions.
Close Associates of Hafiz Saeed Included
Among those designated are several senior operatives linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba founder Hafiz Saeed.
The newly notified individuals include Abdul Rauf, a senior member of Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jamaat-ud-Dawa; Hafiz Khalid Waleed, another senior leader associated with the organisations; and Rana Iftikhar, who is accused of coordinating militant activities and recruiting young people for terrorist operations.
Authorities allege that these operatives have played significant roles in sustaining the infrastructure of banned terror organisations.
Senior Jaish-e-Mohammed Operatives Named
The Home Ministry has also designated several senior Jaish-e-Mohammed functionaries.
Among them is Masood Ilyas Kashmiri, who allegedly operates from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and is accused of recruiting operatives, providing training and facilitating infiltration into India. Investigators have also linked him to the April 2022 Sunjwan attack on security personnel in Jammu.
Another individual, Mohammad Mussadiq alias Doctor, has been identified as a key handler responsible for infiltrating Pakistani terrorists into India. According to the ministry, he allegedly coordinated drone-based arms smuggling, planned terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir and supervised online recruitment activities through social media platforms.
The list also includes Mufti Muhammad Asghar Khan alias Abu Saad, whom authorities describe as a launching commander of Jaish-e-Mohammed. He has been accused of involvement in planning the 2016 attack on the Indian Army camp at Nagrota in Jammu.
India’s Counter-Terror Strategy
The latest designations are part of India’s broader strategy to strengthen legal and financial action against terrorism.
By identifying individuals under the UAPA, the government aims to disrupt operational networks, restrict access to financial resources and improve coordination among security agencies investigating cross-border terrorism.
The move also reflects India’s continued focus on preventing infiltration, dismantling recruitment networks and enhancing national security through stronger legal measures.
Total Number of Designated Individuals Reaches 80
Following the inclusion of the 23 new names, India’s official list of designated terrorists under the UAPA now stands at 80 individuals.
The list already includes internationally known figures such as Hafiz Saeed, Masood Azhar, Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, Dawood Ibrahim and Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.
The Home Ministry said the latest action is intended to further strengthen India’s fight against terrorism by targeting individuals allegedly involved in planning, supporting and facilitating terror activities against the country.
