'Indian efforts have borne fruit': Former top Army intel officer lauds UN designating Pak-based Makki as global terrorist

New Delhi [India], January 17 (ANI): The designation of Lashkar-e-Taiba operative Abdul Rehman Makki as a global terrorist by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is an outcome of persistent efforts of Indian government, a former top Army intelligence officer said on Tuesday.

The former Commander of the top secret Technical Support Division of Indian Army noted that the terrorist was earlier released by Pakistan government even after a court had convicted him.

Speaking to ANI, Col Hunny Bakshi (retd), said it has been Pakistan’s way to “start a trial against a terrorist for the world” to see and then work for his acquittal.

"It is very good news that Pakistan-based LeT terrorist Abdul Rehman Makki, who is the brother-in-law of (26/11 mastermind) Hafiz Saeed and also the second-in-command of the terrorist organisation, has been declared a 'Global Terrorist' by the UNSC," Col Bakshi said.

"Makki has been responsible for many terror attacks in India and was also behind the 26/11 terror attacks. Even Pakistan’s anti-terror courts punished him in 2020. Unfortunately, however, it has been Pakistan’s way to start a trial for the world to see and then acquit them afterwards," he said.

“He was freed in a case on a fine of PKR (Pakistani rupees) 50,000. Finally, when the UN today declared him a global terrorist, Pakistan is now asking for hard evidence for designating him as a 'Global Terrorist'. What is the need for hard evidence now when the country’s court, itself, had found him guilty and sentenced him to a fine of PKR 50,000?” he asked.

The Technical Support Division (TSD), a Military Intelligence Unit set up in 2010, in the aftermath of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, was later disbanded.

Lauding the continued efforts of the Union government to put Makki on the global terror watchlist, Bakshi said, “I congratulate the people and also my government whose efforts have now bore fruit.”

This listing is being seen as a major win for New Delhi after China, in June 2022, blocked a joint proposal by India and the US to get the UNSC to list Makki as a 'Global Terrorist'. Beijing had earlier put a last-minute 'technical hold' on the joint proposal to put Makki on the UNSC's 1267 list of terrorists linked to al Qaeda and ISIL. The move by Beijing was condemned by India as 'extremely unfortunate'.

In India, Makki is on the UAPA list of designated terrorists and is wanted for his involvement in the attack on the iconic Red Fort, in Delhi in 2000, the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, and attacks on security forces in Jammu and Kashmir.

The US has also placed Makki on its list of Specially Designated Global Terrorists and has announced a USD 2 million reward for information leading to his capture and conviction. (ANI)