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The US State Department on Monday designated Hizbul Mujahideen's supreme commander Syed Salahuddin as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) and imposed sanctions on him.
He is the leader of the largest militant group that fights against security forces in India-held Kashmir.
The development surfaced hours ahead of the scheduled meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump.
He was designated a terrorist "under Section 1(b) of Executive Order (EO) 13224, which imposes sanctions on foreign persons who have committed, or pose a significant risk of committing, acts of terrorism that threaten the security of US nationals" or the national security, foreign policy, or economy of the United States, said a release issued from the US State Department.
The action bars US persons from financial transactions with Hizbul Mujahideen supreme leader Syed Salahuddin.
The department says that in September 2016, Salahuddin vowed to block any peaceful resolution to the Kashmir conflict. He threatened to train Kashmiri suicide bombers and turn the Kashmir valley “into a graveyard for Indian forces.”
The US says the militant group has claimed responsibility for several attacks.
The scheduled meeting between Modi and Trump is the first between the leaders of the world's two largest democracies. It takes place amid uncertainty over the relationship because of differences on trade and other issues.
Trump has focused on outreach to China, India's strategic rival, as he looks to Beijing to rein in North Korea. But Washington and New Delhi share concerns about China's rise as a military power.
In advance of the meeting, the Trump administration approved India's purchase of nearly two dozen unarmed surveillance drones. The deal, estimated to be worth about $2 billion, is still subject to congressional approval.
Comments (15) Closed
Even Modi was once declared as a person not acceptable by US.
How come salahuddin has become dangerous for us citizens. To sell their goods these countries have become blind. To make happy each other they have sacrificed freedom of millions of people of Kashmir.
How far away the economy can push the morality?
@Taimoor Alam : 100% right..
@Taimoor Alam Kashmiris will be ruled by themselves as there is democracy in India. The fighting between India and Pakistan has been helping these arms producing big countries as we both are spending major part of our GDP on defence. If these resources are used for poverty alleviation, education and health we both can develop much better than these western world
No worries. Modi was banned after the Gujrat genocides but with changing times, Trump's head is his chair. Do not be suprised when the US supports Kashmiri cause to weaken India.
Pakistan must understand that elements like these are actually hurting the so called Kashmir movement as their activities give a bad name. The world is sensitive to terrorism nowadays that anything that even looks like it is straight away denounced. Pakistan should reign in these elements and only provide moral support in all the international forums if it is really keen to resolve the issue.
@Tanvir Get your facts right. His visa was "rejected once". He didn't apply again. Nowhere was Modi declared not acceptable or anything by US government. While Hizbul and it's mastermind has been declared global terrorist organisation.
Prime Minister Menachem Begin of Israel was declared a terrorist, but later called a great leader and given the Nobel Peace Prize for making peace with Egypt. Narendra Modi was refused visa and entry to USA for the massacre of Muslims in Gujrat under his leadership, now he is being invited to the White House?
The world must question why is the Kashmiri leader being declared a terrorist by India and now the US? It is for the same reason, 'freedom' for his people just like Israeli PM Begin was fighting against the British, blowing up King David Hotel? Was he a terrorist or a great Israeli leader?
@Siddappa Isn't there democracy in Canada? Then why do they ask Quebec, if they want to remain in Canada? Isn't there democracy in UK? Then why do they ask Scottland, if they want to remain in UK? Democracy is good but no replacement for the right of self determination.
Right step in the right direction. Terrorists must be dealt with iron hands
India will kill the poor Kashmirs even more mercilessly, America has given them the green light to do so, India will now try to come inside Pakistan and strike.
No matter what US think we Pakistani as a nation will stand by every single freedom fighter in Kashmir. Don't take this decision hard. Current US admin has no credibility and the head of admin is currently under investigation.
@Ahmed khan ahmed that's your opinion
Make Pakistan undisputed Military and Economic power in this area...Use China as Israel used America. Only in that case all our neighbors will respect us.