Taking another significant step under Modi government's 'Zero Tolerance Policy' against terrorism, Ministry of Home Affairs, under guidance of Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah, has declared 23 more individuals as 'terrorists'

What Happened

• The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued an official notification designating 23 more individuals as "terrorists" under Section 35 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967.
• The designated individuals are linked to Pakistan-based terror organisations including Jaish-e-Mohammad, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jamaat-ud-Dawa, and allied outfits; all 23 are currently operating from Pakistan or Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
• Consequences of designation include freezing of assets, prohibition of financial dealings, and restriction of arms transactions — all administrative measures not requiring a criminal conviction.
• With this batch, the Fourth Schedule of UAPA now lists a total of 80 designated individual terrorists.

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UAPA Section 35 and Fourth Schedule — MHA's Designation Power

The power to designate individuals (as opposed to organisations) as terrorists was introduced through the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Act, 2019. Section 35 empowers the Central Government to add an individual's name to the Fourth Schedule of the UAPA by executive notification. Prior to the 2019 amendment, only organisations could be banned under the Second Schedule; individuals were not covered. The MHA exercises this power based on evidence of terrorist activity, association with designated outfits, or threat to national security. A designated person can seek review from the Central Government and, if refused, appeal to a High Court.

For a comprehensive explainer on the 23 individuals, the organisations they represent, key operatives named, and the broader UAPA framework, see the full enriched article for this event (Article ID 147942).

Key Facts & Data

• Total in Fourth Schedule after this designation: 80 individuals
• Newly added in this notification: 23
• Legal provision invoked: Section 35, UAPA, 1967 (as amended in 2019)
• Consequences: Asset freeze, financial dealing restrictions, arms transaction prohibition
• Issuing authority: Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India