US designates Lashkar commander Dakhil as global terrorist

Tribune News Service 

New Delhi, July 31

In the latest counter-terrorism action, the US Department of State and Treasury have notified Lashkar commander Abdul Rehman al-Dakhil as a Specially-Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). 

The list under Section 1(b) of Executive Order 13224 imposes sanctions on "foreign persons who have committed, or pose a significant risk of committing, acts of terrorism that threaten the security of US nationals or the national security, foreign policy, or economy of the United States".

"Today's designations seek to deny Dakhil the resources to plan and carry out terrorist attacks. Among other consequences, all of his property and interests subject to US jurisdiction are blocked, and US persons are generally prohibited from engaging in any transactions with him," said the State Department.

Dakhil a long-time member of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) was an operational leader for the attacks carried out in India by the banned terror outfit between 1997 and 2001. In 2004, Dakhil was captured in Iraq by British forces and held in US custody in Iraq and Afghanistan. He was transferred to Pakistan in 2014. After his release from Pakistani custody, Dakhil returned to work for LeT. 

In 2016, Dakhil was the LeT divisional commander for the Jammu region and remains a senior commander in the Lashkar rank and file till date. 

"Designations of terrorist individuals and groups expose and isolate organisations and individuals, and deny them access to the US financial system. Moreover, designations can assist or complement the law enforcement actions of other nations. In addition, it is a crime to knowingly provide, or attempt or conspire to provide, material support or resources to a designated FTO (Foreign Terrorist Organisation)," underlined the State department. 

India and US held the inaugural Counter Terrorism Designations Dialogue in December 2017 to ensure effective implementation of domestic and international terrorist designations.