Srinagar, Jul 4: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Saturday designated 23 more individuals as terrorists under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), including 11 natives of Jammu and Kashmir, in a move aimed at dismantling cross-border terror networks operating from Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
The notification adds the names to the Fourth Schedule of the UAPA, taking the total number of individuals designated as terrorists under the law to 57 since the 2019 amendment empowered the Centre to notify individuals as terrorists.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the Narendra Modi-led government remains committed to its policy of “zero tolerance” against terrorism and will continue taking action against those involved in anti-India activities.
According to the MHA, 17 of the newly designated individuals are Pakistani nationals and six are Indian nationals, all currently operating from Pakistan or PoK. They have been accused of involvement in terrorist attacks, cross-border infiltration, arms smuggling, recruitment, financing and logistical support for banned terrorist organisations.
Among the 11 Jammu and Kashmir natives named are Masood Ilyas Kashmiri, Abdullah Jihadi, Firdous Ahmad Bhat, Haroon Rashid Ganai, Bilal Ahmed Mir, Abid Qayoom Lone, Nazir Ahmed Gujjar, Mohammad Yaqoob, Owais Farooz, Wasim Noor Jat and Mohammad Shahid Faisal.
The notification includes operatives linked to Pakistan-based groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jamaat-ud-Dawa, Harkat-ul-Mujahideen, Pakistan Markazi Muslim League, Al-Qaeda and ISIS.
The MHA said the designation would strengthen legal action by curbing the individuals’ financial networks, recruitment, movement and operational capabilities while enhancing coordination among security and law enforcement agencies.
