MHA designates 23 Pakistan-based individuals as ‘terrorists’ under UAPA

📌 Summary:

• Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) designated 23 individuals as “terrorists” under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) on July 4, 2026
• The 23 include 6 Indians (among them a Bengaluru techie) and 17 Pakistanis; all are currently outside India
• Accused of roles spanning recruitment, training, infiltration, logistics, financing, arms supply, drone-based weapons delivery, and planning/facilitating terror attacks in India
• With these additions, the total number of individuals designated as terrorists under UAPA rises to 80

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS3 Internal Security — use of UAPA’s Fourth Schedule to designate individuals (not just organisations) as terrorists; cross-border terrorism, radicalisation and terror financing.

📝 Prelims Facts:

• UAPA was amended in 2019 to allow the Centre to designate individuals as terrorists
• Designated individuals are listed in the Fourth Schedule of UAPA
• Total individuals so designated now stands at 80

🔑 Key Term: Individual terrorist designation — a power under UAPA (post-2019 amendment) letting the government notify a person as a terrorist, distinct from banning an organisation.