Current · Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2024-25/29 · issued 26 Apr 2024 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI has notified an amendment to the UNSC 1267/1989 ISIL & Al-Qaida sanctions list, updating one individual entry. All regulated entities must immediately screen their records and freeze assets of the newly specified person, following Section 51A of UAPA and KYC Master Direction procedures.
Sanctions-list safety note. This circular refers to a specific UN Security Council / UAPA designated-entities list update as it stood on the date above — sanctions lists change often, and a newer update almost certainly exists today. Never use this page, or any single dated circular, as your current screening list. Always screen against the live, current list at the official UAPA proscribed-organisations list and the UN Consolidated List, and confirm the obligations for your bank on the official rbi.org.in source below.
The rule, in the simplest words
Banks and regulated entities must check their customer databases against the updated UN sanctions list
They must freeze any accounts or assets belonging to the amended individual, Sanaullah Ghafari, without prior notice
They must update their internal AML/KYC systems and watchlists to reflect the latest UNSC list changes
They must report any frozen accounts or assets to the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU-IND) and the Joint Secretary (CTCR), MHA
How it plays out — a real example
["A compliance officer in Mumbai must immediately screen the bank's customer database against the updated UN sanctions list to ensure they are not doing business with Sanaullah Ghafari, the leader of ISIL-Khorasan. If a match is found, the officer must freeze the account without delay and report it to the relevant authorities. This is a critical step in preventing terrorist entities from using India's financial system."]
What changed
The UN Security Council Committee amended one entry on its ISIL (Da'esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions List, specifically updating details for individual Sanaullah Ghafari (also known as Dr. Shahab al Muhajir), leader of ISIL-Khorasan. The amendment was enacted via UNSC press release SC/15682 dated April 25, 2024, and communicated to RBI by the Ministry of External Affairs.
What it means for you
Banks and all regulated entities must immediately check their customer databases against the updated UN sanctions list and freeze any accounts or assets belonging to the amended individual. Failure to comply with Section 51A of UAPA can lead to regulatory action. This is a routine but critical update to ensure India's financial system is not used by terrorist entities.
What you must do
Screen all existing and new customers against the updated UNSC 1267/1989 sanctions list, focusing on the amended entry for Sanaullah Ghafari.
Freeze without prior notice any accounts, transactions, or assets linked to the listed individual and report to the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU-IND) and the Joint Secretary (CTCR), MHA.
Update internal AML/KYC systems and watchlists to reflect the latest UNSC list changes as per the MEA notification.
Forward any de-listing requests received from customers to the Joint Secretary (CTCR), Ministry of Home Affairs, as per MHA instructions.
Who it affects
All scheduled commercial banks, Non-banking financial companies (NBFCs), Payment system operators, All other regulated entities under RBI's AML/KYC framework
Built from our lineage records — each fact carries its provenance; missing history simply is not shown (never guessed).
What is the source of this sanctions list update?
The update originates from the UN Security Council Committee pursuant to resolutions 1267, 1989, and 2253, which amended one entry on its ISIL & Al-Qaida Sanctions List. The Ministry of External Affairs communicated this to RBI, which then issued the circular to all regulated entities.
What action must my bank take immediately?
Your bank must screen all customers against the updated list, freeze any assets or accounts of the newly specified individual (Sanaullah Ghafari), and report the action to FIU-IND and the Joint Secretary (CTCR), MHA. Also update your internal AML systems with the latest list.
Where can we find the complete updated sanctions list?
The full updated lists for ISIL (Da'esh), Al-Qaida, and Taliban are available on the UN Security Council website at www.un.org/securitycouncil/sanctions/1267/aq_sanctions_list and for Taliban at www.un.org/securitycouncil/sanctions/1988/materials.
📜 This document’s life story (2 recorded events, each backed by RBI’s own words)
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2024-25/29
DOR.AML.REC.19/14.06.001/2024-25
April 26, 2024
The Chairpersons/ CEOs of all the Regulated Entities
Madam/Dear Sir,
Implementation of Section 51A of UAPA,1967: Updates to UNSC’s 1267/ 1989 ISIL (Da'esh) & Al-Qaida Sanctions List: Amendments in 01 Entry
Please refer to Section 51 of our Master Direction on Know Your Customer dated February 25, 2016 as amended on January 04 , 2024 (MD on KYC), in terms of which “Regulated Entities (REs) shall ensure that in terms of Section 51A of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) (UAPA) Act, 1967 and amendments thereto, they do not have any account in the name of individuals/entities appearing in the lists of individuals and entities, suspected of having terrorist links, which are approved by and periodically circulated by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).”
2. In this connection, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India has informed about the UNSC press release SC/15682 dated April 25, 2024 wherein the Security Council Committee pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011) and 2253 (2015) concerning ISIL (Da’esh), Al‑Qaida and associated individuals, groups, undertakings and entities enacted the amendments specified with strikethrough and/or underline in the entry below on its ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions List of individuals and entities subject to the assets freeze, travel ban and arms embargo set out in paragraph 1 of Security Council resolution 2610 (2021), and adopted under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations.
A. Individuals
QDi.431 Name: 1: SANAULLAH 2: GHAFARI 3: na 4: na
Name (original script): ثناء اللہ غفاری
Title: Dr. Designation: na DOB: a) 28 Oct. 1994 b) 24 May 1990 POB: Mir Bacha Kot District, Kabul Province, Afghanistan Good quality a.k.a.: a) Dr. Shahab al Muhajir b) Shahab Muhajer c) Shahab Mohajir d) Shahab Mahajar e) Shihab al Muhajir f) Shihab Muhajer g) Shihab Mohajir h) Shihab Mahajar Low quality a.k.a.: na Nationality: Afghanistan Passport no: na Afghanistan number: O1503093, issued on 25 Aug. 2016 in Kabul, Afghanistan (expired on 25 Aug. 2021) National identification no: na Address: a) Afghanistan (2021) b) Kunduz, Afghanistan (previous) Listed on: 21 Dec. 2021 (Amended on 25 April 2024) Other information: Leader of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant - Khorasan (ISIL - K) (QDe.161). Information Technology Expert. Father’s name: Abdul Jabbar. Grandfather’s name: Abdul Ghaffar. Photo is available for inclusion in the INTERPOL-UN Security Council Special Notice. INTERPOL-UN Security Council Special Notice web link: https://www.interpol.int/en/How-we-work/Notices/View-UN-Notices-Individuals .
3. In accordance with paragraph 58 of resolution 2610 (2021), the Committee has made accessible on its website the narrative summaries of reasons for listing of the above entries at the following URL:
www.un.org/securitycouncil/sanctions/1267/aq_sanctions_list/summaries .
4. Press release dated April 25, 2024 regarding the above can be found at https://press.un.org/en/2024/sc15682.doc.htm
Further, the UNSC press releases concerning amendments to the list are available at URL: https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/sanctions/1267/press-releases
5. The details of the sanction measures and exemptions are available at the following URL: https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/sanctions/1267#further_information
6. In view of the above, REs are advised to take appropriate action in terms of Section 51 of the MD on KYC and strictly follow the procedure as laid down in the UAPA Order dated February 02, 2021(amended on August 29, 2023) annexed to the MD on KYC.
7. Updated lists of individuals and entities linked to ISIL (Da'esh), Al-Qaida and Taliban are available at:
www.un.org/securitycouncil/sanctions/1267/aq_sanctions_list
https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/sanctions/1988/materials
8. Further, as per the instructions from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), any request for de-listing received by any RE is to be forwarded electronically to Joint Secretary (CTCR), MHA for consideration. Individuals, groups, undertakings or entities seeking to be removed from the Security Council’s ISIL (Da'esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions List can submit their request for delisting to an independent and impartial Ombudsperson who has been appointed by the United Nations Secretary-General. More details are available at the following URL:
https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/ombudsperson/application
9. REs are advised to take note of the aforementioned UNSC communications and ensure meticulous compliance.
Yours faithfully,
(Saidutta Sangram Keshari Pradhan)
General Manager
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2024-25/29 · issued 26 Apr 2024. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
Update internal AML/KYC systems and watchlists to reflect the latest UNSC list changes as per the MEA notification.
📜 Compliance
Screen all existing and new customers against the updated UNSC 1267/1989 sanctions list, focusing on the amended entry for Sanaullah Ghafari.
Freeze without prior notice any accounts, transactions, or assets linked to the listed individual and report to the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU-IND) and the Joint Secretary (CTCR), MHA.
Forward any de-listing requests received from customers to the Joint Secretary (CTCR), Ministry of Home Affairs, as per MHA instructions.
Grouped from the action items above — a single circular may involve more than one team.
Worked example & action-note template
Example: if you are a Compliance officer at a bank this circular applies to (All scheduled commercial banks, Non-banking financial companies (NBFCs), Payment system operators, All other regulated entities under RBI's AML/KYC framework), your first concrete step on “UAPA Sanctions List Updated: One Entry Amended” is: “Screen all existing and new customers against the updated UNSC 1267/1989 sanctions list, focusing on the amended entry for Sanaullah Ghafari.” (RBI issued this 26 Apr 2024).
Circular: RBI/2024-25/29 -- UAPA Sanctions List Updated: One Entry Amended
Issued: 26 Apr 2024
Action required: Screen all existing and new customers against the updated UNSC 1267/1989 sanctions list, focusing on the amended entry for Sanaullah Ghafari.
Action required: Freeze without prior notice any accounts, transactions, or assets linked to the listed individual and report to the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU-IND) and the Joint Secretary (CTCR), MHA.
Action required: Update internal AML/KYC systems and watchlists to reflect the latest UNSC list changes as per the MEA notification.
Action required: Forward any de-listing requests received from customers to the Joint Secretary (CTCR), Ministry of Home Affairs, as per MHA instructions.
Owner: ____________ Target date: ____________
Board/committee approval needed? Y / N
Evidence filed in compliance register on: ____________
Built only from this circular’s own published fields — not legal advice; always confirm against the official RBI source.
💬 Banker Discussion
Discuss this circular with fellow bankers — reply, upvote what helps, report what doesn’t belong. Be professional; no client data. Views are the commenter’s own, not BankPulse’s.
BankPulse Compliance Evidence Pack — generated 03 Aug 2026 · status cross-checked against RBI’s official withdrawal register (refreshed weekly). Official RBI source: https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/NotificationUser.aspx?Id=12677&Mode=0 — Plain-English summary by BankPulse (bankpulse.ai), reviewed by our expert reviewer, CA Amit Jain. Independent platform, not affiliated with the Reserve Bank of India; is our own plain-English paraphrase, not RBI’s original wording.
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