India welcomes UK govt’s sanctions on pro-Khalistan terror group Babbar Khalsa: MEA

Welcoming the United Kingdom (UK) government’s decision to impose sanctions on pro-Khalistan extremist networks linked to the banned outfit Babbar Khalsa, India, on Monday, called it an important step in strengthening global efforts against terrorism and illicit financial flows.

On asked about UK government’s action against Babbar Khalsa’s Gurpreet Singh Rehal and Babbar Akali Lehar group, during his weekly media briefing in New Delhi, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “We welcome the steps that have been taken by the UK government to sanction anti-India extremist entities, which strengthen the global fight against terrorism and extremism and help to curb illicit financial flows and transnational crime networks.”

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“Such individuals and entities pose a threat not just to India and the UK but to people across the world. We look forward to continuing to work very closely with the UK side in further strengthening our counter terrorism and security cooperation,” Jaiswal said.

Last week, the UK government imposed sanctions aimed at disrupting the funding mechanisms of the pro-Khalistan terror group Babbar Khalsa–marking the first time such measures have been applied against the organisation.

The UK announced an asset freeze and director disqualification against Gurpreet Singh Rehal, who is suspected of belonging to organisations involved in terrorism in India.

An asset freeze against Babbar Akali Lehar, for promoting and supporting the same terrorist group, has also been announced.

According to the UK Treasury Department, Rehal is involved in Babbar Khalsa and Babbar Akali Lehar’s terrorist activities, including promoting and encouraging, carrying out recruitment activities for, and providing financial services to, as well as supporting and assisting those organisations, including through purchasing weapons and other military materiel.

The government also said that Babbar Akali Lehar is associated with, and involved in, Babbar Khalsa’s terrorist activities by promoting, encouraging, and carrying out recruitment activities for the group and itself.

All funds and economic resources in the UK owned, held, or controlled by Rehal or Babbar Akali Lehar are now subject to an asset freeze, and Rehal is also subject to director disqualification sanctions which prohibit him from acting as a director of a company or directly or indirectly taking part in or being concerned in the promotion, formation, or management of a company.

The Counter-Terrorism (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (the Regulations) allow the UK Treasury to freeze assets and impose restrictions on individuals and entities suspected of involvement in terrorism. Babbar Khalsa is a proscribed terrorist organisation.