US Sanctions Kashmiri Militant Group 'Hizbul Mujahideen'

Senior leader of Kashmiri militant group Hizb-ul-Mujahideen Syed Salahuddin - SAJJAD QAYYUM/AFP PHOTO
Senior leader of Kashmiri militant group Hizb-ul-Mujahideen Syed Salahuddin - SAJJAD QAYYUM/AFP PHOTO
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US Sanctions Kashmiri Militant Group 'Hizbul Mujahideen'

Senior leader of Kashmiri militant group Hizb-ul-Mujahideen Syed Salahuddin - SAJJAD QAYYUM/AFP PHOTO
Senior leader of Kashmiri militant group Hizb-ul-Mujahideen Syed Salahuddin - SAJJAD QAYYUM/AFP PHOTO

The United States on Wednesday said it had sanctioned 'Hizbul Mujahideen', the largest of the anti-Indian Kashmiri militant groups.

The US Treasury Department, in a statement on its website reported by Reuters, said it had listed the Pakistan-based group as a counter- designated group, freezing any assets it may hold in the Untied States and prohibiting Americans from dealings with it.

"These designations seek to deny HM (Hizbul Mujahideen) the resources it needs to carry out terrorist attacks," the US State Department said in a separate statement, according to Reuters.

In announcing the designation, the State Department said the group had claimed responsibility for several attacks, including one in 2014 in Jammu and Kashmir that left 17 people injured.

Last month, the United States also designated Syed Salahuddin, a militant commander for the group, as a terrorist - a label he denounced.

Such designations are aimed at denying individuals and entities access to the US financial system.

Both India and Pakistan claim Kashmir as a whole.

Pakistan has denied giving material help to Kashmiri separatists but has pledged to provide continued diplomatic and moral support.

India blames Pakistan for stoking the 28-year-old revolt in Muslim-majority Kashmir and has stepped up its pressure on Pakistan over the conflict.



Russian Helicopter with 22 on Board Goes Missing in Far East

A Russian Mi-24 helicopter flies at the Russian military base of Hmeimim, located south-east of the city of Latakia in Hmeimim, Latakia Governorate, Syria. (File photo: AFP)
A Russian Mi-24 helicopter flies at the Russian military base of Hmeimim, located south-east of the city of Latakia in Hmeimim, Latakia Governorate, Syria. (File photo: AFP)
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Russian Helicopter with 22 on Board Goes Missing in Far East

A Russian Mi-24 helicopter flies at the Russian military base of Hmeimim, located south-east of the city of Latakia in Hmeimim, Latakia Governorate, Syria. (File photo: AFP)
A Russian Mi-24 helicopter flies at the Russian military base of Hmeimim, located south-east of the city of Latakia in Hmeimim, Latakia Governorate, Syria. (File photo: AFP)

A Russian helicopter with three crew members and 19 passengers on board has gone missing in the far eastern peninsula of Kamchatka, the emergencies ministry said on Saturday.

The Mi-8T helicopter took off from a base near the Vachkazhets volcano and the crew failed to report at the scheduled time of 04:00 GMT, Interfax news agency reported, citing the federal air transport agency, Reuters reported.

The emergencies ministry said the search and rescue operation was being hampered by thick fog in the area.

Kamchatka, which is nine hours ahead of Moscow, is a popular tourist destination, known for its pristine rivers, geysers and volcanoes.