UN bans alleged terrorist front group suspected in Mumbai attacks News
UN bans alleged terrorist front group suspected in Mumbai attacks

[JURIST] The UN Security Council [official website] on Wednesday added [press release] the name of a Pakistani charity seen as a front for the group being blamed for the Mumbai terror attacks [BBC backgrounder] to its list of entities subject to asset freeze, travel ban, and arms embargo as a terrorist organization. At the urging of the Indian government [JURIST report], Jamaat-ud-Dawa was added as a pseudonym for the Pakistani terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) [ADL backgrounder] that India blames for the attacks. The UN also added the names of four individuals, including LeT leader Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi [START profile], who was arrested in a raid of a militant camp Sunday night. A spokesperson for the US State Department said [press release] the US was "pleased that the Committee has decided to move forward on these high-priority designations. These actions will limit the ability of known terrorists to travel, acquire weapons, plan, carry out, or raise funds for new terrorist attacks." One of Jamaat-ud-Dawa's leaders who was also added to the list, Hafiz Mohammed Saeed, said that the group will petition [AP report] the UN to overturn Wednesday's decision.

The attacks in Mumbai, which claimed at least 170 lives, were carried out at ten locations across the city, including the landmark Taj Mahal Palace hotel [hotel website]. In the wake of the attacks, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh [official website] pushed for tougher anti-terrorism measures [JURIST report]. Pakistani officials said Tuesday that Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi [official profile] will not hand over to India [JURIST report] any Pakistani citizens arrested in connection with the attacks, insisting instead on a joint investigation with Indian officials. So far Pakistan has arrested more than 20 people believed to be responsible for the attacks.