A splinter group of the Pakistani Taliban linked to the Islamic State terror group has been sanctioned by the UN Security Council, subjecting it to assets freeze and arms embargo.
The UN Security Council's Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee added Jamaat-Ul-Ahrar to the ISIL (the Islamic State) and Al- Qaida Sanctions List yesterday.
Formed in August 2014, the outfit is linked to deadly attacks in Pakistan, which banned it in November last year.
Pakistan's foreign ministry welcomed the UN sanctions. "Pakistan welcomes the listing of Jamaatul Ahrar by the UN Security Council," the ministry said in a statement.
The JuA first came to prominence after it claimed responsibility for the 2014 Wagah attack targeting security forces protecting the Shia community. At least 61 people were killed in the attack and more than 100 others were injured.
The outfit is also known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan Jamaat-ul Ahrar. It operatesfrom Afghanistan's Nangarhar Province and Mohmand Agency in Pakistan's Federally Administered Tribal Areas.
According to the information on the website of the UN, Jamaat-ul-Ahrar is a splinter group of the Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan and is associated with the Islamic State.
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