India adds 23 more individuals to UAPA terrorist list; total rises to 80 as Hafiz Saeed’s nephew, Bengaluru techie included

NEW DELHI: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has designated 23 more individuals, including 17 Pakistani nationals and six Indians, as terrorists under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, reinforcing the country's counter-terrorism operations. The newly designated individuals are key operatives wanted for several major terror attacks across the nation, including the Pathankot and Pampore strikes. With this latest addition, the total number of individuals designated as terrorists under the anti-terror law has risen from 57 to 80.

The designated individuals are associated with various banned terror outfits, including Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Al-Qaeda, and ISIS. According to official sources, all 23 individuals are currently operating from bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Among the six Indian nationals added to the list, five hail from Jammu and Kashmir. The sixth Indian is Mohammed Shahid Faisal, a former techie from Bengaluru who is actively wanted in connection with the Rameshwaram Cafe blast case.

Profiles of key designated operatives

Prominent names on the updated list include high-profile operatives and key conspirators behind major terror attacks in India. Among them is Hafiz Khalid Waleed, a Pakistani national and the nephew of Lashkar-e-Taiba chief Hafiz Muhammad Saeed. Waleed has been a member of Lashkar-e-Taiba's central advisory council since 2003 and was the mastermind behind the 2016 Pampore attack, which resulted in the martyrdom of eight Central Reserve Police Force personnel.

The list also features Muhammad Musaddiq, popularly known as 'Doctor,' a Pakistani national and a launch commander for Jaish-e-Mohammed. Musaddiq is accused of orchestrating plots to target major installations in India, including the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh headquarters, and the Indian Oil Corporation Limited refinery in Panipat.

Other key Pakistani nationals designated under the anti-terror law include Ashfaq Ahmed, a Jaish-e-Mohammed operative involved in the 2016 terror attack on the Pathankot Air Force station. Maulana Imdad Ullah Makki, a close associate of Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Maulana Masood Azhar, has also been designated for his involvement in the Pathankot attack. Additionally, Masood Ilyas Kashmiri, another trusted aide of Masood Azhar, has been added to the list for coordinating infiltration attempts into Jammu and Kashmir.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah reiterated the government's resolve following the declaration, stating that the Narendra Modi government remains fully committed to ensuring national security by completely dismantling all terrorist organisations.