In a significant move, the United Kingdom invoked its Domestic Counter-Terrorism (Sanctions) Regime against Gurpreet Singh Rehal, a UK-based pro-Khalistani businessman, and the organisation Babbar Akali Lehar (BAL) for funding and helping the banned terror outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI).
#BREAKING: UK sanctions Khalistani terrorist and terror organisation in a rare major action. This is the first use of the Domestic Counter-Terrorism Regime to disrupt funding for Pro-Khalistan group Babbar Khalsa. Reflects deepening UK-India bilateral cooperation. pic.twitter.com/f82IT5fhM1
— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) December 6, 2025
On December 4, HM Treasury announced asset freezes, directorship disqualifications, and financial restrictions on Rehal and BAL for providing support to BKI, the organisation responsible for the 1985 Air India Flight 182 bombing that killed 329 people.
The order by the HM Treasury effectively bar any person or entity in the UK from dealing with Rehal’s assets or providing him with economic resources.
The HM Treasury cites that Rehal not only provided financial support to BKI, but also ccarried out recruitment for the terrorist organisation and helped with purchase of weapons.
Rehal has also been subjected to director disqualification, which prohibits him from holding the director’s position in any company or being in any kind of management role in a company.
Any violations of the said order will carry the penalty of up to seven years imprisonment, or civic penalty up to 1 million pounds.
Additionally, the sanction against Rehal also extends to his other companies namely ‘Saving Punjab CIC’, Whitehawk Consultations Limited and another entity called Loha Designs.
This is the first time that the Domestic Counter-Terrorism (Sanctions) Regime has been invoked against a British national in relation to Khalistani organisations.
Lucy Rigby, the Economic Secretary to the Treasury, stated, “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.”
