The Union Home Ministry on Friday banned the Khalistan Tiger Force and Jammu and Kashmir Ghaznavi Force (JKGF), which has been formed with cadres from terrorist organisations such as the Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed.


According to a notification issued by the Union Home Ministry, which is headed by Amit Shah, Harwinder Singh Sandhu alias Rinda has also been declared a terrorist.


"In exercise of the powers conferred by the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, the Ministry of Home Affairs today declared one more individual Harwinder Singh Sandhu alias Rinda as terrorist and two organizations -- Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) & Jammu and Kashmir Ghaznavi Force (JKGF)-- as terrorist organisation," the notification stated.


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The MHA said Sandhu has been associated with Babbar Khalsa International and is presently based in Lahore, Pakistan, under patronage of cross-border agencies amd has been found involved in various terrorist activities, particularly in Punjab.


He is alleged to be one of the masterminds behind an attack on the intelligence headquarters of the Punjab Police in 2021. A Red Corner Notice was also issued against Sandhu by the Interpol.


With Sandhu's addition, there are a total of 54 designated terrorists in IVth Schedule of UAPA.


In its notification, the MHA said the Jammu & Kashmir Ghaznavi Force has been involved in infiltration bids, narcotics and weapon smuggling, carrying out terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, and regularly issuing threats to security forces.


The outfit has also been using various social media platforms to incite the people of Jammu and Kashmir to join terrorist outfits against India.


"It draws its cadres from various terrorist organisations, like Lashker-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, Tehreek-ul-Mujahideen, & Harkat-ul—Jehad-E-Islami," the MHA said.


On Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), the MHA notification said it is a militant outfit and it "aims to revive terrorism in Punjab and challenges the territorial integrity, unity, national security and sovereignty of India and promotes various acts of terrorism, including targeted killings in Punjab".


With declaration of these two organisations as terrorist organization, there are now total 44 designated terrorist organizations under the Ist Schedule of the Act.