U.S. designates TTP leader under order that targets terrorists
By KUNA
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has designated Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) leader Qari Hussain under an executive order that targets terrorists and their supporters, the State Department announced on Thursday.
“This action will help stem the flow of finances to Hussain by blocking all property subject to U.S. jurisdiction in which Hussain has an interest and prohibiting all transactions by U.S. persons with Hussain,” the announcement said.
TTP has previously been designated by the United States as a Foreign Terrorist Organization.
“Qari Hussain is one of TTP’s top lieutenants and also serves as the trainer and organizer of the group’s suicide bombers,” the announcement said. “Training camps organized by Hussain are notorious for recruiting and training men of all ages as suicide bombers, and Hussain has gained particular notoriety for his heavy recruitment of children.”
Furthermore, Hussain is believed to have trained Jordanian militant Humam Muhammad Abu Mulal al-Balawi, the double-agent whose suicide mission on December 30, 2009, in Khost, Afghanistan, killed seven Americans, it added.
“Today’s designation of Qari Hussain is in response to the wanton acts of violence he has perpetrated against the people of Pakistan and United States. Hussain’s sponsored operations have had a destabilizing effect on the region and his use of children to carry out suicide bombings is abhorrent,”said Ambassador Daniel Benjamin, the Department of State Coordinator for Counterterrorism.
“This case illustrates our continued resolve to undermine TTP senior leaders’ planning and coordination capabilities,” he added.
