UK Sanctions British Sikh Businessman, Group Over Links To Pro-Khalistan Terror Activity In India

Last Updated:December 06, 2025, 09:45 IST

British national Gurpreet Singh Rehal and associated group, Babbar Akali Lehar, are accused of links to the proscribed pro-Khalistan organisation Babbar Khalsa International

The UK has imposed sanctions against a British Sikh businessman, Gurpreet Singh Rehal, in the first use of the country’s ‘Domestic Counter-Terrorism Regime’ to disrupt pro-Khalistan funding and terror activity in India. (Image: @ArjunShastra/X)

The United Kingdom has imposed stringent sanctions on British businessman Gurpreet Singh Rehal and associated group Babbar Akali Lehar for their alleged involvement in financing and promoting pro-Khalistan terror activity, specifically through ties to the proscribed organisation Babbar Khalsa International.

In a first-time use of the ‘Domestic Counter-Terrorism Regime’, the UK’s measures against Gurpreet Singh Rehal include an immediate asset freeze as he is accused of facilitating weapons purchases, running online propaganda networks, and providing financial services to high-profile designated terrorists like Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.

According to top intelligence sources, this crackdown will significantly bolster India’s efforts to dismantle the UK-based terror financing networks and choke funding pipelines for “anti-India” separatist activity. Following the announcement, Rehal’s former sports investment firm, Panjab Warriors, and Morecambe FC promptly issued statements saying they had fully removed him from all association.

Economic secretary to the Treasury, Lucy Rigby said the UK “will not stand by while terrorists exploit Britain’s financial system” and declared the measure a landmark action prepared to “choke off funding for terrorism”.

“We will not stand by while terrorists exploit Britain’s financial system,” said Lucy Rigby. “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.”

Rehal has been designated by the UK as an active promoter and financier of Khalistani terrorism. The sanctions specifically target his alleged involvement in financing and promoting terror activity through ties to the Babbar Khalsa International (BKI).

The UK has assessed him to be involved in the BKI and Babbar Akali Lehar’s (BAL) alleged terror activities, including carrying out recruitment, providing financial services, and purchasing weapons and other military material. He is accused of facilitating weapons purchases, terror recruitment, and running online propaganda networks.

He is accused of having close ties with BKI operative Paramjit Singh Pamma and providing financial services to Pannun, who leads pro-Khalistan group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ). He is also accused of funding the ‘Khalistan Referendum 2021’ activities.

The BAL, the UK Treasury said, has been assessed to be associated with the BKI’s terror activities by promoting and encouraging the group. This designation means all funds and economic resources in the country owned, held, or controlled by them are frozen, preventing any British entity from dealing with them.

The sanctions extend to organisations owned by Rehal, namely Saving Punjab, Whitehawk Consultations Ltd, and Loha Designs. He is subject to being disqualified from his position as director, which prohibits him from taking part in the promotion, formation, or management of any company.

Top intelligence sources said the UK sanctions are a significant development, strengthening India’s case against pro-Khalistan terror financing networks operating from abroad. This crackdown exposes the UK-based BKI-SFJ ecosystem and is expected to help isolate Pannun, Pamma, and their associates.

The sources said this action is crucial for choking the funding pipeline that fuels “anti-India” separatist activity and provides India with greater leverage for extraditions and intelligence sharing.

Rehal was linked with the Panjab Warriors sports investment firm, which completed the purchase of Morecambe FC in June. Following the sanctions announcement, Morecambe FC and Panjab Warriors issued a joint statement saying he held only a “consultancy role”.

“Following recent serious concerns that have come to light, we took immediate and decisive action, and his association with both organisations has been fully removed,” a statement read. “Both organisations operate under strict governance and compliance standards, and we have used this moment to further strengthen our internal processes, including enhanced due diligence checks for key personnel. We will continue to work closely with the relevant authorities and in full alignment with all regulatory requirements.”

(With agency inputs)

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