WASHINGTON: The United States on Wednesday designated Hizbul Mujahideen as a specially designated terrorist organisation led by an internationally recognised terrorist.

The step further increases US pressure on Pakistan to do more about tightening the screws on terrorist groups that allegedly use its territory for launching cross-border attacks in Afghanistan and India-held Kashmir.

Earlier in the day, the US Department of State announced that it had designated Hizbul Mujahideen — also known as HM — as a foreign terrorist organisation and as a specially designated global terrorist.

“These designations seek to deny HM the resources it needs to carry out terrorist attacks,” said the State Depart­ment while reminding US citizens that they were now prohibited from engaging in any transactions with the group.

Formed in 1989, HM is one of the largest and oldest militant groups of Kashmir. The US has already declared its leader Mohammad Yusuf Shah, better known as Syed Salah­uddin, a specially designated global terrorist.

The State Department pointed out that Hizbul Mujahideen had claimed responsibility for several attacks, including the April 2014 attack in Kashmir, which injured 17 people.

US officials claim that HM still has a major presence in Pakistan and uses it for launching attacks in Kashmir.

Pakistan rejects the charge that terrorists use its territory for attacking other nations and points out that rece­nt military operations have forced Afghan militants to flee to Afghanistan, from where they carry out attacks in Afghanistan as well as Pakistan.

Published in Dawn, August 17th, 2017

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...
New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.