UK sanctions British national, Babbar Akali Lehar over alleged pro-Khalistan financing

HM Treasury has also announced an asset freeze against a group, Babbar Akali Lehar, for promoting and supporting the same terrorist group.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the UK government said the HM Treasury assessed 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 and encouraging and carrying out recruitment activities for the group and itself," the statement said.

"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," the statement said.

"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 making funds, economic resources and financial services available to or for their benefit," the statement said.

"This includes any of the entities they own or control, without a licence from HM Treasury or an applicable exception," the statement said.

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.

UK Economic Secretary to the Treasury Lucy Rigby KC MP said: "We will not stand by while terrorists exploit Britain’s financial system. This landmark action shows we are prepared to use every tool at our disposal to choke off funding for terrorism – wherever it occurs and whoever is responsible. The UK stands firmly with peaceful communities against those who promote violence and hatred."