US to Pakistan, Freeze funds of designated terror groups, act against JeM

Manglore Today News Network

Washington, Feb 16, 2019 : The US Administration of President Donald Trump has asked Pakistan to freeze ’’without delay’’ the funds and other financial assets of the UNSC-designated terrorist networks and their leaders, Zeenews reported.

 

It also said that it fully supports ’’actions to prevent’’ the outlawed Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) from conducting future attacks.

Pakistan-based JeM has claimed responsibility for the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Thursday that left at least 40 CRPF soldiers dead and five others critically wounded.

A State Department spokesperson was quoted as saying by PTI, "Pakistan outlawed Jaish-e-Mohammed in 2002. However, the group still operates in Pakistan. The US designated JeM as a foreign terrorist organization in December 2001, and we fully support actions to prevent them from conducting future attacks."

In addition, the UNSC designated JeM on its 1267 ISIL (Da’esh) and al-Qa’ida Sanctions List in 2001, the official noted.

"We expect Pakistan to uphold its responsibilities pursuant to UN Security Council resolutions to deny safe haven and support for terrorists and to freeze without delay the funds and other financial assets or economic resources of individuals and entities on the UNSC 1267 sanctions list’’ the US spokesperson said in response to a question.

The official, however, did not divulge if the US has taken up the issue with the Pakistani leadership directly after the Pulwama terrorist attack.
 
In various statements and on social media, the Trump administration has asked Pakistan to deny safe haven and end support to terrorist organizations.

The spokesperson also refrained from making any comment over China blocking India’s move to designate Jaish chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist.

’’Our views on Masood Azhar and Jaish-e-Mohammed are well known. The JeM has been responsible for numerous terrorist attacks and is a threat to regional stability,’’ the spokesperson said.

"UN Sanctions Committee deliberations are confidential, and as such we do not comment on specific matters," the official said.

Coming down heavily on Pakistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on Friday said that those behind the Pulwama terror attack have committed a “grave mistake” and they will “punished”.

"If our neighbour, which is totally isolated in the world, thinks it can destabilise India through its tactics and conspiracies, then it is making a big mistake," the Prime Minister said.

"I want to tell terrorist organisations and their guardians that they have done a grave mistake. Those behind the attack will be punished for their actions,” PM Modi said here while flagging off the Delhi-Varanasi high-speed Vande Bharat Express train.

Paying tributes to the CRPF personnel who lost their lives in the Pulwama attack, he said, “Our security forces have been given full freedom (to carry out anti-terror operations). We have full faith in their bravery."PM Modi also thanked the countries which have supported India and condemned this incident in the strongest of terms. “A strong reply will be given to this attack,” he said.