WASHINGTON (AFP) – The United States on Thursday put three Pakistani militants on its terrorist blacklist, including leaders of the Sunni extremist movement Lashkar-e-Jhangvi.
The Treasury Department said in a statement that the three men -- Amanullah Afridi, Mati ur-Rehman and Abdul Rauf Azhar -- were all "actively involved in leading or planning operations."
The designation freezes any assets they may have in the United States and makes it illegal for Americans to engage in any transactions with them.
Afridi and Rehman both hold leadership roles in Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, which is known for its attacks on members of the Shiite minority and which US authorities say took part in the 2002 murder of journalist Daniel Pearl.
Azhar is a leader of the Jaish-e-Mohammad extremist movement. The Treasury Department said he was tasked with organizing suicide bombings in India along with training camps in Pakistan.
The two groups are already banned by both the United States and Pakistan. But some US officials say that Islamabad has been selective in its action against militants, turning a blind eye to those that are useful against India.
The United States has a complicated partnership with Pakistan, which provides crucial access for the war in Afghanistan.
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