US: Hizb an ‘international terror group’

Says move seeks to deny outfit resources needed to carry out attacks

The US government on Wednesday designated frontline Kashmiri militant outfit Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) a “foreign terrorist organisation”, a move that seeks to deny it the resources it needs “to carry out terrorist attacks”.

A statement issued by the spokesman of the US state department said that the HM was designated as a “foreign terrorist organisation” under Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

“These designations seek to deny HM the resources it needs to carry out terrorist attacks... All of HM’s property and interests in property subject to US jurisdiction are blocked, and US persons are generally prohibited from engaging in any transactions with the group”, the statement said.

The US government on Wednesday designated frontline Kashmiri militant outfit HizbulMujahideen (HM) as “foreign terrorist organisation”, a move which seeks to deny it the resources it needs “to carry out terrorist attacks”.

A statement issued by the spokesman of the US department of state in Washington said that the HM was designated as a “foreign terrorist organisations” under Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act. In this connection, a formal order as “Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT)” was issued under Section 1(b) of Executive Order (E.O.) 13224.

“These designations seek to deny HM the resources it needs to carry out terrorist attacks. Among other consequences, all of HM’s property and interests in property subject to US jurisdiction are blocked, and US persons are generally prohibited from engaging in any transactions with the group,” the statement said.

The statement added that the HM, formed in

1989, is one of the largest and oldest militant groups operating in Kashmir. “Hizbul-Mujahideen is led by Specially Designated Global Terrorist Mohammad Yusuf Shah, also known as Syed Salahuddin. Hizbul Mujahideen has claimed responsibility for several attacks, including the April 2014 attack in the state of Jammu and Kashmir which injured 17 people,” the statement said.

“Today’s action notifies the US public and the international community that Hizbul-Mujahideen is a terrorist organisation. Terrorism designations expose and isolate organisations and individuals, and deny them access to the United Dtates financial system. Moreover, designations can assist the law enforcement activities of United States agencies and other governments,” it added.

US department of state added that the Hizbul-Mujahideen, formed in 1989, is one of the largest and oldest militant groups operating in Kashmir