India Designates 23 Pakistan-Based Operatives as Terrorists, Including Ayodhya Recce Figure

The Ministry of Home Affairs on Saturday designated 23 individuals based in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) as terrorists under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The list includes an operative accused of conducting reconnaissance of the Ram Janmabhoomi complex in Ayodhya and a close relative of Lashkar-e-Taiba founder Hafiz Saeed.

According to a statement, the action targets a network of senior Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) functionaries, including launching commanders, recruiters, financiers, and logistics coordinators. They are accused of facilitating infiltration, terror financing, and attacks against India.

Among the designated individuals, six are Indian nationals who are now based in Pakistan or PoJK. All 23 have been added to the Fourth Schedule of the UAPA, as reported by news agency PTI.

One of the most prominent names is Mohammad Musaddiq, a JeM operative also known as Doctor and Abdul Mannan. The ministry stated he carried out reconnaissance of the Ram Janmabhoomi complex in Ayodhya, the RSS headquarters in Nagpur, and the Indian Oil refinery in Panipat. He is also accused of serving as a launching commander in the Lasiyakot sector, facilitating infiltration through tunnels, and arranging drone deliveries of arms and ammunition into India.

Another key figure is Masood Ilyas Kashmiri, described as a close associate of Jaish chief Maulana Masood Azhar. The ministry said he coordinates infiltration into Jammu and Kashmir, recruits youths through social media, raises funds for terrorism, and was involved in planning the April 2022 attack on a police checkpoint near the PDP office in Sunjwan.

Mufti Mohammad Asghar Khan, identified as JeM's Amir and military wing chief in PoJK, has been accused of running terrorist training camps in Muzaffarabad and conspiring in the 2016 Nagrota Army camp attack. Hafiz Abdul Shakoor, linked to JeM and Harkat-ul-Mujahideen, allegedly facilitated infiltration of Pakistani terrorists through the Samba-Kathua sector for the same attack.

The ministry also named Abdullah Jihadi, who is accused of managing launching camps in Kupwara and Baramulla, facilitating infiltration into north Kashmir, and attempting to incite anti-India sentiment.

Among the six Indian nationals on the list is Firdous Ahmad Bhat, who allegedly crossed into Pakistan through the Wagah border in 2018 before joining LeT. Authorities said he now functions as a launching commander, recruits youths in south Kashmir, and supplies weapons to overground workers.

Other Indian nationals designated include Haroon Rashid Ganai, Bilal Ahmad Mir, Abid Qayoom Lone, Nazir Ahmed Gujjar, Owais Farooz, and Mohammad Shahid Faisal. The ministry accused them of recruiting operatives, planning attacks, arranging arms and narcotics smuggling, facilitating drone-based weapons consignments, and coordinating terror modules from across the border.

Faisal, now based in Rawalpindi, is alleged to have links with LeT, Al-Qaeda, and ISIS. The ministry said he handled the 2012 Bengaluru Lashkar conspiracy case, the 2013 Nanded Lashkar case, and acted as an online handler in the 2024 Rameshwaram Cafe blast case, the Mangaluru cooker blast, and the Al-Hind ISIS module case while recruiting youths through jihadist propaganda.

The list also includes senior LeT and JeM leaders. Abdul Rauf, a senior LeT leader since 1999, is accused of mobilizing funds globally through organizations such as the Falah-e-Insaniyat Foundation and Al-Madina Welfare Trust. He has already been designated by the United States as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist.

Hafiz Khalid Waleed, identified as Hafiz Saeed's son-in-law, has also been designated. The ministry accused him of masterminding the 2016 Pampore attack and serving on LeT's Central Advisory Committee.