RBI tells banks three names removed from UNSC ISIL and Al-Qaida sanctions list
The RBI on 27 October 2026 informed banks and financial companies that the UNSC has removed three individuals from its ISIL (Da'esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions List. This does not directly affect ordinary depositors or account holders.
What this means for you
This notice is meant for banks and financial companies, not for ordinary people. If your account is in the name of a regular citizen, you do not need to do anything. Banks have to update their sanctions lists so that restrictions on the removed names are lifted.
Key facts
- The RBI letter is dated 27 October 2026.
- The UNSC press release SC/16488 is dated 26 October 2026.
- Three names were removed: Shafi Sultan Mohammed Sultan Al-Ajmi, Bassam Ahmad Al-Hasri and Iyad Nazmi Salih Khalil.
- The names were removed from the list linked to resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011) and 2253 (2015).
- After removal, the assets freeze, travel ban and arms embargo no longer apply to these names.
What has happened
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on 27 October 2026 sent a notice to all banks and financial companies. It said the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has removed three individuals from its ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions List.
The information came to the RBI from the Ministry of External Affairs and is based on UNSC press release SC/16488 dated 26 October 2026.
Which names were removed
According to the RBI letter, the three removed names are Shafi Sultan Mohammed Sultan Al-Ajmi, Bassam Ahmad Al-Hasri and Iyad Nazmi Salih Khalil.
The names were removed from the list linked to resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011) and 2253 (2015). The UNSC Committee took the decision after completing its consideration of a delisting request from the designating State.
What changes now
According to the RBI, the assets freeze, travel ban and arms embargo no longer apply to the removed names. These measures were set out under UNSC resolution 2734 (2024).
What banks have to do
The RBI asked banks to follow the procedure laid down under Section 51A of the UAPA and Chapter IX of the RBI’s KYC Directions, 2025. Banks must also ensure they do not hold any account in the name of a person or entity on the UNSC list.
If a bank receives a request to remove a name from the list, it must send it electronically to the Joint Secretary (CTCR) at the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Impact on ordinary people
This notice is mainly for banks and financial companies. Ordinary depositors, account holders and customers do not need to do anything.
The updated sanctions list can be seen on the UNSC website. A request to be removed from the list can also be made to the UN Ombudsperson, whose details are available on the UNSC website.
Questions and answers
Which three names were removed from the UNSC sanctions list?
Shafi Sultan Mohammed Sultan Al-Ajmi, Bassam Ahmad Al-Hasri and Iyad Nazmi Salih Khalil were removed. The RBI gave this information based on UNSC press release SC/16488.
Will this affect my bank account?
No, it does not directly affect ordinary account holders. The notice is for banks and financial companies to update their sanctions lists.
What do assets freeze, travel ban and arms embargo mean?
These are restrictions set by the UNSC that apply to names on the list. According to the RBI, these three restrictions will no longer apply to the three removed names.
Where can someone apply to be removed from the list?
A request for removal from the UNSC list can be made to the UN Ombudsperson. The RBI said any such request received by a bank must be sent electronically to the Joint Secretary (CTCR) at the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Where can the updated sanctions list be seen?
The updated list is available on the UNSC website. The RBI letter gives links to the 1267 and 1988 sanctions lists.
Source: RBI, "Implementation of Section 51A of UAPA, 1967: Updates to UNSC’s 1267/ 1989 ISIL (Da'esh) & Al-Qaida Sanctions List: Removal of 03 Entries", 27 October 2026. Read the original notice
Checked against the official notice: 28 October 2026. This story was drafted with AI from an official notice and checked by an editor before publishing. Report an error