Overview

Abdul Rehman Makki is the deputy emir of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), a Kashmir and Pakistan-based extremist group reportedly behind the 2008 Mumbai attacks which killed more than 160 people. Makki’s brother-in-law is LeT emir Hafiz Muhammad Saeed.“Abdul Rehman Makki,” United Nations Security Council, January 16, 2023, https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/content/abdul-rehman-makki%E2%80%AF; “Rewards for Justice - Lashkar-e-Tayyiba Leaders Reward Offers,” U.S. Department of State, April 3, 2012, https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2012/04/187342.htm; “‘Terrorism threatens humanity’: Leaders pay homage to victims on 14th anniversary of Mumbai 26/11 attacks,” Indian Express, November 26, 2022, https://indianexpress.com/article/india/mumbai-2611-terror-attacks-anniversary-political-leaders-tributes-8290657/.  Given Makki’s leadership role within LeT, he was designated by the U.S. Department of the Treasury as a Specially Designated National (SDN) on November 4, 2010, and was added to the United Nations Security Council’s sanctions list on January 16, 2023.“Rewards for Justice - Lashkar-e-Tayyiba Leaders Reward Offers,” U.S. Department of State, April 3, 2012, https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2012/04/187342.htm; “Security Council ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee Adds One Entry to Its Sanctions List,” United Nations, January 16, 2023, https://press.un.org/en/2023/sc15177.doc.htm.

Makki has reportedly raised significant funds for LeT. According to the U.S. Department of State, in early 2007 Makki provided approximately $248,000 to an LeT terrorist training camp, and another $165,000 to a madrassa affiliated with LeT.“Rewards for Justice - Lashkar-e-Tayyiba Leaders Reward Offers,” U.S. Department of State, April 3, 2012, https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2012/04/187342.htm.

Makki also serves as the head of Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD), a Pakistan-based group that calls itself a humanitarian charity, but international officials have condemned as a front for LeT. JuD is reportedly the group responsible for plotting and carrying out the 2008 Mumbai attacks. Along with serving as JuD’s head, Makki serves on JuD’s proselytization arm, the Markazi team.Mehreen Zahra-Malik, “UPDATE 1-U.S. says Pakistani 'charity' front for banned militants,” Reuters, June 26, 2014, https://www.reuters.com/article/pakistan-militants/update-1-u-s-says-pakistani-charity-front-for-banned-militants-idUSL4N0P72SR20140626.

According to the U.N., Makki and his associates in JuD were involved in raising funds, recruiting, and radicalizing youth to plan terror attacks in India, particularly in the Jammu and Kashmir region. In his leadership role, Makki directed or was involved in a number of significant attacks, chief among which were the Mumbai Attacks in November 2008. From November 26 to 29, 10 LeT militants launched a series of attacks across Mumbai that killed more than 160 individuals and injured approximately 300 others. Bruce Riedel, “Modeled on Mumbai? Why the 2008 India attack is the best way to understand Paris,” Brookings, November 14, 2015, https://www.brookings.edu/blog/markaz/2015/11/14/modeled-on-mumbai-why-the-2008-india-attack-is-the-best-way-to-understand-paris/. The attacks targeted a railway station, a popular restaurant, a hospital, two hotels, and a Jewish center. “Mumbai Terror Attacks Fast Facts,” CNN, November 12, 2018, https://www.cnn.com/2013/09/18/world/asia/mumbai-terror-attacks/index.html.

Given Makki’s ongoing leadership role with LeT, he was designated by the U.S. Department of the Treasury as an SDN on November 4, 2010.“Rewards for Justice - Lashkar-e-Tayyiba Leaders Reward Offers,” U.S. Department of State, April 3, 2012, https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2012/04/187342.htm. A few years later, on April 3, 2012, the U.S. Department of State’s Rewards for Justice program offered a reward of up to $2 million for information leading to the location and capture of Makki.“Rewards for Justice - Lashkar-e-Tayyiba Leaders Reward Offers,” U.S. Department of State, April 3, 2012, https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2012/04/187342.htm.

On May 15, 2019, Makki was arrested on charges of hate speech and for criticizing steps taken by the Pakistani government to better monitor charities affiliated with militant groups.“Police arrest brother of Jamaat-ud-Dawa leader Hafiz Saeed,” Arab News, May 15, 2019, https://www.arabnews.com/node/1497451/pakistan. At the time, Makki was head of JuD’s political and international affairs wing as well as Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation (FIF), a charity affiliated with JuD. Prior to Makki’s arrest, in February 2019, Pakistan banned JuD and FIF due to their affiliation with LeT.“Abdul Rehman Makki,” United Nations Security Council, January 16, 2023, https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/content/abdul-rehman-makki%E2%80%AF. 

Makki was indicted on June 10, 2020 by an anti-terrorism court in Lahore on charges of terrorism financing.“Pak court indicts JuD chief Hafiz Saeed's 4 close aides in terror financing case,” The Tribune (India), June 10, 2020, https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/world/pak-court-indicts-jud-chief-hafiz-saeeds-4-close-aides-in-terror-financing-case-97212. On August 28, 2020, an anti-terrorism court in Pakistan sentenced Makki to 18 months imprisonment for financing militant activities.“Pakistan jails three men linked to group accused of Mumbai attack,” Reuters, August 28, 2020, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pakistan-court-fatf/pakistan-jails-three-men-linked-to-group-accused-of-mumbai-attack-idUSKBN25O2OI. Makki was sentenced to an additional six months in prison by a Pakistani anti-terrorism court on charges of terrorism-financing on December 3, 2020.“Pakistan sentences three top JuD leaders for ‘terror financing’,” Al Jazeera, December 3, 2020, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/12/3/pakistan-sentences-three-top-jud-leaders-for-terror-financing. As of January 2023, Makki reportedly remains in prison, but officials have not provided an explanation as to his continued detention.“LeT's Abdul Rehman Makki releases video: ‘Never met Osama Bin Laden’,” Hindustan Times, January 24, 2023, https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/never-met-osama-bin-laden-let-s-abdul-rehman-makki-releases-video-101674173278318.html.

On January 16, 2023, the United Nations Security Council added Makki to its sanctions list.“Security Council ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee Adds One Entry to Its Sanctions List,” United Nations, January 16, 2023, https://press.un.org/en/2023/sc15177.doc.htm. After being added to the U.N.’s sanction list, on January 19, 2023, Makki released a video from the Kot Lakhpat Jail in Lahore denying any links with al-Qaeda or the Islamic State.“LeT's Abdul Rehman Makki releases video: ‘Never met Osama Bin Laden’,” Hindustan Times, January 24, 2023, https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/never-met-osama-bin-laden-let-s-abdul-rehman-makki-releases-video-101674173278318.html.