The Union Home Ministry has designated 23 individuals based in Pakistan as terrorists under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act – UAPA.

They were linked to Jaish-e-Mohammad, Lashkar-e-Taiba and other organisations. The Ministry said the Government is committed to dismantling every terror module to safeguard the country and its citizens.

The amendment in the UAPA has strengthened India’s anti-terror legal framework by expanding the powers of the Central Government and investigative agencies. The amendment has empowered the Central Government to designate individuals, not merely organisations, as terrorists under the Act.

Akashvani correspondent reports that out of the 23 terrorists announced today, 17 are Pakistani nationals and six are Indian nationals. However, all of them are presently operating terrorist activities from Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

The designated terrorists are involved in anti-India activities, carrying out terror attacks, inciting terror, trafficking arms, infiltrating through the border, facilitating terrorist organisations, raising funds and recruiting terrorists.

This will allow agencies such as the National Investigation Agency to block their finances, impose an embargo on arms sales, and seize their assets. The Central Government has designated 80 individuals as terrorists since the amendment to the UAPA came into force in 2019.