Centre Designates 23 JeM, LeT Operatives as Terrorists Over J-K Attacks

The Centre on Saturday designated 23 Pakistan-based operatives linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba as terrorists, citing their alleged involvement in recruitment, infiltration, training and attacks in Jammu and Kashmir. The government notification also accused the operatives of helping supply arms and ammunition through drones and participating in the planning of terror activities.

Among the 23 individuals named, three are alleged close associates of Lashkar-e-Taiba founder Hafiz Muhammad Saeed. The government identified them as Abdul Rauf, Hafiz Khalid Waleed and Rana Iftikhar. According to the notification, the three allegedly played roles in coordinating activities, raising funds, motivating recruits and supporting the operations of the Pakistan-based organisation.

The notification alleged that Rana Iftikhar, 54, coordinated with organisations and motivated young people to carry out terror-related activities. Abdul Rauf, 52, was accused of involvement in planning and coordinating attacks as well as collecting funds. The government described him as a senior operative working under the direct command of Hafiz Saeed.

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The list also includes three individuals allegedly linked to the 2016 attack on an Army camp in Nagrota, Jammu and Kashmir. Two others were allegedly involved in the 2018 attack on the Sunjwan Military Station. The government cited these cases while outlining the suspected roles of the newly designated individuals in attacks against security forces and military installations.

According to the Centre, the operatives were involved in a range of activities, including recruiting individuals, facilitating cross-border infiltration and providing training. Some were also accused of arranging weapons and other supplies through drones and supporting the planning of attacks in Jammu and Kashmir. The notification formally places the 23 individuals on India’s list of designated terrorists.

The move comes as security agencies continue operations against suspected terror networks and infiltration attempts in Jammu and Kashmir. Security forces have also been conducting large-scale searches in forested areas of Rajouri under Operation Sheruwali. Authorities continue to investigate networks allegedly involved in recruitment, cross-border movement and the supply of weapons to operatives in the region.

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