New Delhi — The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Tuesday announced that it has added 23 individuals residing in Pakistan to India’s “terrorist list” under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), a move that enables the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to block their financial transactions, impose an embargo on any arms sales to them and seize assets linked to them in India.
The list, released through an official press note, includes names such as Hafiz Saeed, founder of Lashkar‑e‑Taiba, and other senior operatives of groups that New Delhi alleges have plotted attacks on Indian soil. The designation is intended to curb the flow of funds and logistical support that the Indian government says these individuals provide to terrorist networks operating against India.
Under the UAPA, once a person is declared a terrorist, the NIA can issue a notice to banks and financial institutions to freeze accounts, prohibit the issuance of new financial instruments and take legal steps to confiscate property. The MHA’s statement noted that the designations are “in the larger interest of national security and public order.”
The move follows a series of high‑profile terror attacks in India over the past two years, which officials have linked to cross‑border networks based in Pakistan. In a separate statement, the NIA said it would begin the process of asset tracing and seizure “in accordance with the provisions of the UAPA and other relevant statutes.”
Analysis: The designations come amid heightened diplomatic tension between India and Pakistan, particularly after the 2024 Pulwama‑type incidents that strained bilateral ties. By invoking the UAPA, the Indian government can apply a broader set of legal tools than under ordinary criminal law, potentially accelerating the freezing of overseas assets held through Indian subsidiaries or proxies. Critics, however, have warned that such designations can be used to target political dissidents or opposition figures, though the MHA’s list this time is limited to individuals based abroad.
The financial embargo and asset seizure provisions could also affect companies that inadvertently engage in trade with entities linked to the designated individuals. Compliance officers in Indian banks and multinational firms are likely to tighten due‑diligence protocols to avoid penalties.
The designations are expected to be reviewed periodically, and the individuals named have the right to contest the listing in a court of law, as per the procedural safeguards outlined in the UAPA.
Sources
– The Hindu, “MHA designates 23 Pakistan‑based individuals as ‘terrorists’ under UAPA,” https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/mha-designates-23-pakistan-based-individuals-as-terrorists-under-uapa/article71181869.ece
Story synopsis gathered from: The Hindu – National — source
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