WASHINGTON: The US treasury department is taking action against individuals and networks linked to two militant groups based in Pakistan.

The action initiated on Tuesday targeted the leader of the Harkatul Mujahedeen and slapped terrorist designations on two people and their networks for allegedly working to provide financial support to the Lashkar-e-Taiba.

The action freezes any assets they may have in any US jurisdiction and bars American citizens from doing business with them.

David Cohen, undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, said both groups were terrorist organisations that trained militants and supported extremist groups, including Al Qaeda.Published in Dawn, October 1st , 2014