Washington/Islamabad: The Trump administration unveiled new tools to pursue terrorism and add muscle to its ability to pursue terror suspects, their financiers and supporters worldwide. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on ‘modernising and strengthening sanctions authorities to combat terrorism.’ The Treasury Department on the eve of the 9/11 anniversary, sanctioned over two dozen individuals and entities from 11 terrorist groups, including Pakistan-based Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
Noor Wali Mehsud also known as Noor Wali from Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) was one of the sanctioned terrorists, the US State Department said describing him as a 'Specially Designated Global Terrorist'. “Noor Wali, also known as Mufti Noor Wali Mehsud, was named the leader of TTP in June 2018 following the death of former TTP leader Mullah Fazlullah,” according to a state department statement. “Under Noor Wali’s leadership, TTP has claimed responsibility for numerous deadly terrorist attacks across Pakistan,” it said.
The treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin said that his department was enhancing efforts to deny terrorist access to the financial system. "Since the horrific attacks of 9/11, the US government has refocused its counter-terrorism efforts to constantly adapt to emerging threats. President Trump's modernised counter-terrorism Executive Order enhances the authorities we use to target the finances of terror groups and their leaders to ensure they are as robust as possible," Mnuchin said. The US actions seek to deny these terrorists the resources to plan and carry out attacks. All of their property and interests in US jurisdiction are blocked, and US persons are generally prohibited from engaging in any transactions with them, the statement said.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo described the executive order as the "most-significant update" to counter-terrorism sanctions authority since September 2001. Interestingly, Mehsud’s designation came on the same day India described Pakistan as the “epicentre” of global terrorism. Since its establishment in 2007, the TTP has remained a potent threat and the most dangerous Islamist terrorist organisation in Pakistan. The TTP has been involved in more than 1,400 terrorist attacks in Pakistan over the last 12 years.
Mehsud is among 12 specially designated global terrorist leaders of previously designated groups including TTP, Hizbullah, Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, the Islamic State terror group (IS), IS-Philippines, ISISWest Africa and an al Qaeda affiliated group fighting in Syria.
