Backing its fight against terrorism, US supports India’s decision to list Azhar, Saeed, Dawood as terrorists

New Delhi, September 6: Acting like it preaches, India has set an example by designating four Pakistani criminals as terrorists under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act. After playing a vital role in United Nation’s decision in designating Masood Azhar as global terrorists, India on similar lines did the same. Backing India’s decision, the United States asserted that this would expand possibilities of cooperation between Washington and New Delhi in fighting terrorism.

 

The Acting Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asia, Alice G Wells, tweeted on Wednesday, “We stand w/ #India and commend it for utilizing new legal authorities to designate 4 notorious terrorists: Maulana Masood Azhar, Hafiz Saeed, Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi and Dawood Ibrahim. This new law expands possibilities for joint #USIndia efforts to combat scourge of terrorism.”

The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Act allows the Centre and States to designate individuals as terrorists and seize their property. The law was passed by the Parliament last month. Under the earlier law, only organisations could be designated as terrorist outfits and not individuals.

On Wednesday, fugitive underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) chief Hafiz Saeed, Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) chief Masood Azhar, LeT's supreme commander of operations in Kashmir Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi were designated as terrorists under the UAPA through a government notification.

Hafiz Saeed's LeT carried out several terrorist attacks including the 2000 Red Fort attack, Rampur attack, 2008 Mumbai attacks in which 166 people were killed. JeM terrorists attacked the Parliament building and Jammu and Kashmir State Legislative Assembly complex in 2001, killing nine and eight people respectively. Pathankot terror attack in 2016, Pulmawa attack in February this year was also carried by Jem terrorist.

Lakhvi is accused in various cases of LeT attacks and being investigated by the NIA, said the notification, adding that he is also designated by the United Nations as a global terrorist under the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1267 on December 10, 2008 and has been involved in various terrorist attacks in India.

Dawood is alleged to be instrumental in promoting religious fundamentalism, terror financing, arms smuggling, circulation of counterfeit currency, money laundering, narcotics, extortion and benami real estate business in India and abroad and is also involved in assassination attempts on prominent personalities to create social disharmony and terrorise common man.