The United States on Wednesday announced it was adding the student wing of the Lashkar-e-Taiba, to its list of "foreign terrorist organisations." The State Department move against the student group, Al-Muhammadia Students, came as the Treasury Department added two Lashkar-e-Taiba leaders to the US list of "specially designated global terrorists," subjecting them to US sanctions.
LeT was banned by the Pakistani government in 2002 but it has continued operating through front organisations, according to US officials, and their leaders conduct public rallies and interviews. The State Department announced that it amended the designation of LeT as a "foreign terrorist organisation" to include what it called the group's student wing.
"Since the original designation occurred, LeT has repeatedly changed its name and created front organisations in an effort to avoid sanctions," the State Department said, adding that the student group aided senior LeT leaders in recruiting and other activities. The State Department action subjected the student group to sanctions, including a ban on Americans providing or attempting to provide it with material support.