UK landmark action - UK sanctions imposed on the Pro-Khalistan militant group Babbar Khalsa, involved in terrorism

UK sanctions imposed on a person and organisation involved in terrorism in a landmark action - This is the first use of the Domestic Counter-Terrorism Regime to disrupt funding for the Pro-Khalistan militant group Babbar Khalsa.

From 4 December 2025, it is prohibited to:

• Deal with funds or economic resources owned, held or controlled by Babbar Akali Lehar, Rehal, or his organisations.
• Make funds, financial services or economic resources available to them.
• Allow Rehal to act as a director or take part in company management.

The designation extends to organisations owned by Rehal, namely;

• Saving Punjab CIC (company number: 13892609),
• Whitehawk Consultations Ltd (company number: 15662866) and
• unincorporated organisation/association Loha Designs. 

About Babbar Khalsa and Babbar Akali Lehar

• Babbar Khalsa (which also uses the name Babbar Khalsa International) is a proscribed terrorist organisation.
• HM Treasury assesses Babbar Akali Lehar to be an “involved person” under the regulations.

Key facts

• The UK has today announced an asset freeze and director disqualification against
• Gurpreet Singh Rehal (REHAL), who is suspected of belonging to organisations involved in terrorism in India.
• HM Treasury has also announced an asset freeze against a group,
• Babbar Akali Lehar, for promoting and supporting the same terrorist group.
• HM Treasury assesses that REHAL is involved in Babbar Khalsa and Babbar Akali Lehar’s terrorist activities, including promoting and encouraging, carrying out recruitment activities for, providing financial services to, as well as supporting and assisting those organisations, including through purchasing weapons and other military materiel.
• HM Treasury also assesses 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.
• These designations will prevent all UK persons and entities from dealing with any funds or economic resources owned, held, or controlled by either REHAL or Babbar Akali Lehar, or from making funds, economic resources, and financial services available to or for their benefit. This includes any entities they own or control without a licence from HM Treasury or an applicable exception.
• 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.
• Today’s action is the result of close collaboration between HM Treasury and policing partners, demonstrating the government’s determination to protect both national security and the peaceful communities affected by terrorism.

Further information

• The Counter-Terrorism (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (the Regulations) allow HM Treasury to freeze assets and impose restrictions on individuals and entities suspected of involvement in terrorism.
• This helps prevent terrorist financing and protects the UK’s financial system from abuse.

From 4 December 2025, it is prohibited to:

• Deal with funds or economic resources owned, held or controlled by Babbar Akali Lehar, Rehal, or his organisations.
• Make funds, financial services or economic resources available to them.
• Allow Rehal to act as a director or take part in company management.

Violations carry penalties of up to seven years’ imprisonment on indictment, or civil penalties of up to £1 million or 50% of the breach value – whichever is greater.

The designation extends to organisations owned by Rehal, namely: Saving Punjab CIC (company number: 13892609), Whitehawk Consultations Ltd (company number: 15662866) and unincorporated organisation/association Loha Designs. 

About Babbar Khalsa and Babbar Akali Lehar

Babbar Khalsa (which also uses the name Babbar Khalsa International) is a proscribed terrorist organisation. HM Treasury assesses Babbar Akali Lehar to be an “involved person” under the regulations.

Source

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-sanctions-imposed-on-a-person-and-organisation-involved-in-terrorism-in-landmark-action