Centre declares 23 Pakistan based operatives as terrorists under UAPA

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has designated 23 Pakistan-based operatives as individual terrorists under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The move targets members linked to banned terror outfits, including Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and other Pakistan-based extremist networks accused of planning and supporting terror activities against India.

The designations were issued through official gazette notifications, allowing authorities to freeze the individuals' assets, seize properties, and strengthen legal action against them. According to the Home Ministry, many of those listed have allegedly been involved in recruiting militants, facilitating cross-border infiltration, smuggling arms and explosives, financing terrorism, and orchestrating 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. The provision to declare individuals as terrorists was introduced through the 2019 amendment to the UAPA, expanding the government's powers beyond banning organisations.

The latest action reflects India's continued efforts to strengthen its counter-terrorism framework and crack down on cross-border terror networks.