Washington, Sept 8(ANI): The US Treasury Department has announced the designation of three senior al-Qa'ida leaders based in Pakistan, including the terror outfit's 'external operations' commander Younis al-Mauritani, who is presently in Pakistani custody.
"We are targeting two of al-Qa'ida's top strategists and commanders in Pakistan, as well as a senior facilitator, striking at the heart of al-Qa'ida's remaining leadership and its operations in Pakistan," said Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence David S. Cohen.
Apart from al-Mauritani, the other two designated al-Qa'ida leaders are commander Abu Yahya al-Libi, and courier and operative Mustafa Hajji Muhammad Khan.
As a result of the trio's designation, US persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with them, and any assets they may hold under US jurisdiction are frozen.
Al-Libi, referred to as al-Qa'ida's propaganda chief, is a senior leader and commander in Pakistan responsible for the supervision of other senior al-Qa'ida officials, and plays a key role in al-Qa'ida's media operations.
Abd al-Rahman Ould Muhammad al-Husayn Ould Muhammad Salim, also known as Al-Mauritani, is a Pakistan-based senior al-Qa'ida leader who was in charge of al-Qa'ida's external operations as of mid-2010.
As of mid-2010, Al-Mauritani was in Pakistan to speak to individuals regarding their participation in al-Qa'ida operations in Europe.
The Pakistani military reported on Monday that Al-Mauritani was nabbed along with two other senior al-Qa'ida operatives from suburbs of Quetta.
Khan, the third individual sanctioned by the US Treasury Department, has acted as an al-Qa'ida facilitator, courier and operative since at least 2003.
He has also been active in facilitating the travel of al-Qa'ida members, including escorting an individual to meet with another al-Qa'ida member in 2009.
On al-Qa'ida's behalf, Khan recruited a facilitator who helped him move people and money between Gulf countries and Pakistan. In 2007, Khan helped al-Qa'ida re-establish logistic support networks in Pakistan. (ANI)
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