India Declares 23 Pakistan-Based Individuals as Terrorists Under UAPA

NEW DELHI (Terror Monitor) — India’s Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has designated 23 individuals as terrorists under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), according to an official notification issued on Saturday (July 4, 2026). With this latest addition, the total number of individuals listed under the law has risen to 80.

The designated individuals include six Indian nationals and 17 Pakistan-based operatives. Indian Home Minister Amit Shah said that all of them are currently operating from Pakistan or Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), despite their nationalities.

According to the MHA, the individuals are allegedly involved in recruitment, training, infiltration, logistics support, financing, arms supply, drone-based weapons delivery, and planning or facilitating terrorist attacks in India.

Among the most prominent cases is a Bengaluru-based software engineer, Mohammed Shaheed Faisal (40), currently residing in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. He is allegedly associated with Pakistan-based militant outfits including and , and is also accused of links to other extremist modules.

The MHA said Faisal recruited youth through social media, arranged weapons training in Pakistan, raised funds, and facilitated logistics networks. He is also accused of training operatives in encryption and fake identities and supporting weapons deliveries linked to multiple terror incidents.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has identified him as the alleged handler of the terror module behind the Rameshwaram Cafe blast in Bengaluru on March 1, 2024. He has been wanted since 2012 and carries a reward of ₹10 lakh.

The remaining five Indian nationals are from Jammu and Kashmir:

• Firdous Ahmad Bhat (Kulgam)

• Haroon Rashid Ganai alias “Shunoo” (Anantnag)

• Bilal Ahmad Mir alias “Ahmad Bhai” (Sopore)

• Abid Quyoom Lone (Baramulla)

• Nazir Ahmed Gujjar alias “Munazil” (Doda)

The MHA also named several senior operatives linked to militant networks, including individuals associated with and .

Among those mentioned are senior operatives working under Lashkar-e-Taiba leadership, including individuals described as close associates of its leadership structure. The group is led by Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, whom India accuses of masterminding the 2008 Mumbai attacks.

Officials said these operatives are involved in recruitment, infiltration facilitation, cross-border logistics, drone-based arms supply, and coordination of terrorist attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, including incidents such as the 2016 Nagrota Army camp attack and the 2022 Sunjwan military station attack.

Other designated individuals include handlers and commanders accused of running training camps, facilitating infiltration routes, coordinating financial networks, and motivating youth for militant activities across the region.

Officials said the move reflects the strengthened provisions under the 2019 UAPA amendment, which allows India to designate individuals—not just organizations—as terrorists, enabling asset freezes, travel restrictions, and legal prosecution.

No immediate response has been issued by Pakistan regarding the latest designation.