hafeez saeed masood azhar

Lashkar-e-Taiba founder Hafiz Muhammad Saeed and Jaish-e-Mohammed head Masood Azhar have been declared as terrorists in an amendment to the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Act, 1967. 

Along with Saeed and Azhar, top Laskar-e-Taiba leader Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi and Dawood Ibrahim have also been declared terrorists in the amended UAPA. 

This is the first terror list to be released under the Act, which was passed by the Lok Sabha and is waiting for the approval in the Rajya Sabha. 

Those listed as terrorists under the Act can have their assets seized by the government. In addition to this, the government will also share personal details of the declared terrorists with foreign governments. 

The Act is said to be in accordance with the international rules and the UN conventions. 

The law also has provision for those listed as terrorists to appeal to a bench (comprising a sitting or retired judge along with at least two retired secretaries of the Indian government) within forty-five days of the release of the list. 

"And whereas, the central government believes that Maulana Masood Azhar is involved in terrorism and Maulana Masood Azhar is to be notified as a terrorist under the said Act. And whereas, the central government believes that Hafiz Muhammad Saeed is involved in terrorism and Hafiz Muhammad Saeed is to be notified as a terrorist under the said Act," a Home Ministry notification said.