**Executive Summary:**
This communication from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) relays updates from the UN Security Council (UNSC) concerning amendments to its ISIL (Da'esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions List, as per Section 51A of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967. Regulated Entities (REs) must ensure compliance with these updates. The UNSC press release SC/16155, dated August 22, 2025, details the amendments.
**Key Points / Main Content:**
* **UNSC Sanctions List Updates:**
* The UNSC has amended its ISIL (Da'esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions List, which includes individuals and entities subject to asset freezes, travel bans, and arms embargoes.
* The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India, has provided information regarding these updates.
* Amendments involve additions, deletions, or modifications to existing entries on the list.
* Five Individuals have been updated on the list. Their names are: IBRAHIM ALI ABU BAKR TANTOUSH, ALAZHAR BEN KHALIFA BEN AHMED ROUINE, SULAIMAN JASSEM SULAIMAN ALI ABO GHAITH, SHAFI SULTAN MOHAMMED ALAJMI, and GULMUROD KHALIMOV.
* **Narrative Summaries:**
* The Committee has made accessible on its website the narrative summaries of reasons for listing of the above entries.
* **RBI Master Direction on KYC:**
* Regulated Entities (REs) must ensure they do not maintain accounts for individuals or entities appearing on the UNSC's lists of those suspected of terrorist links, as per Section 51A of the UAPA, 1967, and paragraph 51 of the RBI Master Direction on Know Your Customer (KYC) dated February 25, 2016, as amended.
* **Compliance and Procedures:**
* REs are advised to take appropriate action in terms of paragraph 51 of the MD on KYC and strictly follow the procedure as laid down in the UAPA Order dated February 02, 2021 amended on April 22, 2024 annexed to the MD on KYC.
* **Delisting Requests:**
* Any delisting requests received by REs must be forwarded electronically to the Joint Secretary (CTCR), Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), for consideration.
* Individuals/entities seeking removal from the Sanctions List can submit their request to the Ombudsperson appointed by the UN Secretary-General.
* **Available Resources:**
* Updated lists of individuals and entities linked to ISIL (Da'esh), Al-Qaida, and the Taliban are available at specified URLs.
* Details of sanction measures and exemptions are available at a specified URL.
* The UNSC press release regarding the amendments is available at a specified URL.
**Impact Analysis**
**Regulated Entities (REs)**
* *Impact:* REs are directly impacted by the need to comply with the updated UNSC sanctions list to avoid legal and regulatory repercussions.
* *Action Required:*
* Review and update internal KYC/AML procedures to incorporate the latest amendments to the UNSC sanctions list.
* Ensure that no accounts are held for listed individuals or entities.
* Forward any delisting requests to the MHA.
* Meticulously comply with the UAPA Order dated February 02, 2021 amended on April 22, 2024 annexed to the MD on KYC.
Key Entities Referenced
Reserve Bank of India: The central bank of India, referred to via abbreviation 'RBI' in the document, which issued the notification.
Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967: Indian legislation referred to as 'UAPA Act, 1967' that aims to prevent unlawful activities.
United Nations Security Council: An organ of the United Nations, referred to as 'UNSC', responsible for maintaining international peace and security.
ISIL (Da'esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions List: A list maintained by the United Nations Security Council that identifies individuals and entities subject to sanctions due to their association with ISIL (Da'esh) and Al-Qaida.
Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India: The Indian government ministry responsible for foreign affairs, referred to as 'MEA'.
Know Your Customer: RBI Master Direction on Know Your Customer dated February 25, 2016 as amended on August 14, 2025
Tripoli, Libya: The capital city of Libya, mentioned as the address of Ibrahim Ali Tantoush as at Feb. 2014
Al-Nusrah Front for the People of the Levant: A designated terrorist organization, also known as Jabhat al-Nusra and Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham.
RBI/2025-26/76
DOR. AML.REC.48/14.06.001/2025-26 August 25, 2025
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 to 05 Entries
Please refer to paragraph 51 of the RBI Master Direction on Know Your Customer
dated February 25, 2016 as amended on August 14, 2025 (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 / 16155 dated August 22, 2025 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 enacted the amendments specified with strikethrough and/or underline
in the entries below on its ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions List of individuals and
entities subject to assets freeze, travel ban and arms embargo set out in paragraph 1 of
Security Council resolution 2734 (2024), and adopted under Chapter VII of the Charter
of the United Nations.
A. Individuals
QDi.057 Name: 1: IBRAHIM 2: ALI 3: ABU BAKR 4: TANTOUSH
Name (original script): شوتنت ركب وبأ يلع ميهاربا
Title: na Designation: na DOB: 2 Feb. 1966 POB: al Aziziyya, Libya Good quality
a.k.a.: a) Abd al-Muhsin b) Ibrahim Ali Muhammad Abu Bakr c) Abdul Rahman d) Abu
Anas e) Ibrahim Abubaker Tantouche f) Ibrahim Abubaker Tantoush g) ‘Abd al-
Muhsi h) ‘Abd al-Rahman i) Abdel Ilah Sabri (false identity related to fraudulent South
विवियमि विभाग, केंद्रीय कायाालय, केंद्रीय कायाालय भिि, 12िी/ीं 13िी ींमींव़िल, शहीद भगत व ींह मागा, फोर्ा, म ींबई - 400001
र्ेलीफोि/ Tel No: 22661602, 22601000 फैक्स/ Fax No: 022-2270 5691
Department of Regulation, Central Office, Central Office Building, 12th/ 13th Floor, Shahid Bhagat Singh Marg, Fort, Mumbai - 400001
"Caution: RBI never sends mails, SMSs or makes calls asking for personal information like bank account details, passwords, etc. It never keeps or offers funds to anyone. Please
do not respond in any manner to such offers."2
African identification number 6910275240086 linked to South African passport number
434021161, both documents have been confiscated) Low quality a.k.a.: Al-
Libi Nationality: Libya Passport no: a) Libya number 203037, issued in Tripoli,
Libya b) (Libyan passport number 347834, issued under name Ibrahim Ali Tantoush,
expired on 21 Feb. 2014) National identification no: na Address: Tripoli, Libya (as at
Feb. 2014) Afghanistan (as at June 2014) Listed on: 11 Jan. 2002 ( amended on 31 Jul.
2006, 4 Oct. 2006, 16 May 2011, 10 Jul. 2015, 24 Nov. 2020, 22 Aug. 2025) Other
information: Associated with Afghan Support Committee (ASC) (QDe.069), Revival of
Islamic Heritage Society (RIHS)(QDe.070) and the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG)
(QDe.011). Photograph and fingerprints available for inclusion in the INTERPOL-UNSC
Special Notice. Review pursuant to Security Council resolution 1822 (2008) was
concluded on 8 Jun. 2010. Review pursuant to Security Council resolution 2368 (2017)
was concluded on 24 November 2020. INTERPOL-UN Security Council Special Notice
web link: https://www.interpol.int/en/How-we-work/Notices/View-UN-Notices-
Individuals
QDi.150 Name: 1: AL-AZHAR 2: BEN KHALIFA 3: BEN AHMED 4: ROUINE
Name (original script): نيور دمحا نب ةفيلخ نب رهزلأا
Title: na Designation: na DOB: 20 Nov. 1975 POB: Sfax, Tunisia Good quality
a.k.a.: na Low quality a.k.a.: a) Salmane b) Lazhar Nationality: Tunisia Passport
no: Tunisia number P182583, issued on 13 Sep. 2003 (expired on 12 Sep.
2007) National identification no: na Address: No.2 89th Street Zehrouni, Tunis,
Tunisia Listed on: 12 Nov. 2003 ( amended on 20 Dec. 2005, 21 Dec. 2007, 30 Jan.
2009, 16 May 2011, 23 Feb. 2016, 24 Nov. 2020, 22 Aug. 2025) Other
information: Sentenced to six years and ten months of imprisonment for membership
of a terrorist association by the Appeal Court of Milan, Italy, on 7 Feb. 2008. Imprisoned
in Sfax Prison on 5 June 2007 pursuant to an order issued by the Appeals Tribunal in
Tunisia for joining an organization linked to terrorist crimes (case
No.9301/207). Sentenced to two years and 15 days’ imprisonment and released on 18
June 2008. U Considered a fugitive from justice by the Italian authorities as at Jul.
2008. On 20 January 2009, Italian authorities issued a detention order (No. 70/2009
S.I.E.P), following a 3 years 4 months and 29 days sentence for terrorism-related
crimes. Under administrative control measure in Tunisia as at 2010. Review pursuant
to Security Council resolution 1822 (2008) was concluded on 21 Jun. 2010. Review
pursuant to Security Council resolution 2368 (2017) was concluded on 24 November
2020. INTERPOL-UN Security Council Special Notice web
link: https://www.interpol.int/en/How-we-work/Notices/View-UN-Notices-Individuals.
QDi.154 Name: 1: SULAIMAN 2: JASSEM 3: SULAIMAN 4: ALI ABO GHAITH
Name (original script): ث يغوبأ يلع ناميلس مساج ناميلس
Title: na Designation: na DOB: 14 Dec. 1965 POB: Kuwait Good quality
a.k.a.: na Low quality a.k.a.: Abo Ghaith Nationality: Kuwait Passport no: Kuwait
number 849594, issued on 27 Nov. 1998, issued in Kuwait (and expired on 24 Jun.
2003) National identification no: na Address: na Listed on: 16 Jan. 2004 ( amended
on 23 Jul. 2008, 10 Jun. 2011, 24 Nov. 2020, 22 Aug. 2025) Other information: Left
Kuwait for Pakistan in June 2001. His Kuwaiti citizenship has been revoked since 2001,
and he is currently incarcerated in the United States of America. Review pursuant to
Security Council resolution 1822 (2008) was concluded on 21 Jun. 2010. Review
pursuant to Security Council resolution 2368 (2017) was concluded on 24 November3
2020. INTERPOL-UN Security Council Special Notice web
link: https://www.interpol.int/en/How-we-work/Notices/View-UN-Notices-Individuals.
QDi.338 Name: 1: SHAFI 2: SULTAN 3: MOHAMMED 4: AL-AJMI
Title: Doctor Designation: na DOB: 1 Jan. 1973 POB: Warah, Kuwait Good quality
a.k.a.: a) Shafi al-Ajmi b) Sheikh Shafi al-Ajmi Low quality a.k.a.: Shaykh Abu-
Sultan Nationality: Kuwait Passport no: 0216155930 National identification
no: na Address: Area 3, Street 327, Building 41, Al-Uqaylah, Kuwait Listed on: 23
Sep. 2014 (amended on 24 Nov. 2020, 22 Aug. 2025) Other information: Fundraiser
for Al-Nusrah Front for the People of the Levant (QDe.137). In November 2023, he was
released from prison in Kuwait as part of the Special Amiri Decree Pardon No.
225/2023. Review pursuant to Security Council resolution 2368 (2017) was concluded
on 24 November 2020. INTERPOL-UN Security Council Special Notice web
link: https://www.interpol.int/en/How-we-work/Notices/View-UN-Notices-Individuals.
QDi.372 Name: 1: GULMUROD 2: KHALIMOV 3: na 4: na
Title: na Designation: na DOB: a) 14 May 1975 b) Approximately 1975 POB:
a) Varzob area, Tajikistan b) Dushanbe, Tajikistan Good quality a.k.a.: na Low quality
a.k.a.: na Nationality: Tajikistan Passport no: na National identification
no: na Address: Syrian Arab Republic (location as at Sep. 2015) Afghanistan (Kunar
and Nuristan provinces and border areas of Zebok district, Badakhshan
province). Listed on: 29 Feb. 2016 (amended on 24 Nov. 2020, 22 Aug. 2025) Other
information: Syria-based military expert, member and recruiter of Islamic State in Iraq
and the Levant, listed as Al-Qaida in Iraq (QDe.115). Wanted by the Government of
Tajikistan. Review pursuant to Security Council resolution 2368 (2017) was concluded
on 24 November 2020. 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 August 22, 2025 regarding the above can be found at
https://press.un.org/en/2025/sc16155.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_information4
6. In view of the above, REs are advised to take appropriate action in terms of paragraph
51 of the MD on KYC and strictly follow the procedure as laid down in the UAPA Order
dated February 02, 2021 (amended on April 22, 2024) 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)
Chief General Manager