Amit Shah Declares 23 Terror Operatives As Terrorists Under UAPA

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday approved the designation of 23 terror operatives, including 17 Pakistani nationals and six Indian nationals, as terrorists under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

The move reinforces the Narendra Modi-led government’s zero-tolerance policy against terrorism and aims to dismantle terror networks targeting India.

Shah announced the decision on X. He reiterated that the government remains committed to eliminating every terror module to safeguard the nation and its citizens.

The Minister added that although six of them are Indian nationals, all 23 currently operate from Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

Pursuing Modi Ji’s vision of zero tolerance against terror, the MHA today declared 23 dreaded terror functionaries as terrorists under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

The designated terrorists are involved in anti-India activities, carrying out…

— गृहमंत्री कार्यालय, HMO India (@HMOIndia) July 4, 2026

The government said the designation will weaken the terror ecosystem by restricting financial networks, recruitment, movement and operational capabilities. It added that the decision will strengthen coordinated legal, investigative and preventive action at both national and international levels while delivering a strong deterrent against terrorism.

Following the 2019 amendment to the UAPA, the Centre has now designated 57 individuals as terrorists under Section 35 of the Act and included them in the Fourth Schedule.

Among those named is Masood Ilyas Kashmiri, a Pakistani national associated with Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM).

Officials identified him as a close associate of JeM founder Maulana Masood Azhar. He coordinated infiltration into Kashmir, recruited youth through social media and financed terrorism.

Maulana Masood Azhar also orchestrated the April 2022 attack on a police checkpoint near the People’s Democratic Party office in Sunjwan, Jammu.

The notification also includes 16 other Pakistan-based operatives linked to various terror activities.

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