United States, Saudi Arabia move to sanction LeT backers, India welcomes decision

According to NDTV, at least six entities were targeted by the US and Saudi Arabia for supporting terror networks.

New Delhi: The United States and Saudi Arabia have put sanctions on six entities and individuals charged with funding terror organisations including Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT), a media report said on Friday.

Two organisations and four individuals were targeted for supporting terror networks.

India has welcomed the decision.

The move assumes significance because it has come two days before PM Modi’s visit to Saudi Arabia, where he is expected to firm up security cooperation, Hindustan Times reported.

Earlier, speaking at the Nuclear Security Summit being held in Washington, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “Terrorism is globally networked. But, we still act only nationally to counter this threat.

“The reach and supply chains of terrorism are global, but genuine cooperation between nation states is not.

“Drop the notion that terrorism is someone else’s problem and that 'his' terrorist is not 'my' terrorist.”

This is the second time the US and Saudi officials have coordinated to disrupt the finances of terror groups in South Asia.

James Alexander McLintock, a Scotsman who converted to Islam, had been providing financial support to LeT through charities he controls in Pakistan and other countries, the report said citing the US treasury department.LeT through charities he controls in Pakistan and other countries, the report said citing the US treasury department.

He was named a “Specially Designated Global Terrorist'' while his Pakistan-based Al-Rahmah Welfare Organisation (RWO) was designated for providing financial, material and technological support to LeT, al Qaeda and the Taliban.

McLintock, believed to be 52, is CEO of RWO, which provides funding to extremists for jihad under the “false guise of helping orphans”.

Abdul Aziz Nuristani has been designated for providing financial, material or technological support to Let, al Qaeda and the Taliban.

He heads the Peshawar-based Jamia Asariya.

The LeT and other groups have used Jamia Asariya as a financial conduit to bring money into Pakistan, the report said.

Another individual Naveed Qamar has held several influential positions within the LeT and supported the terror group’s fundraising activities since 2004.

Qamar has been identified as a leader of the LeT, the US treasury department said. He is also linked to Jamaat-ud Dawah (JuD), a Pakistan-based terror outfit.

The report said that in 2010, Qamar had helped raise funds for a mujahideen planning attacks against Indian targets.

Another individual, Saudi Arabia-based Muhammad Ijaz Safarash has been charged with funding LeT. He has been an LeT operative for several years.

Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, accused of masterminding the 2008 Mumbai attacks, has also reportedly benefited from Safarash’s financial support.