Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan Chief Noor Wali Mehsud Designated As Global Terrorist By US State Department

The United States has designated Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan chief Noor Wali Mehsud as a global terrorists after US President Donald Trump signed an executive order modernizing and strengthening sanctions authorities to combat terrorism.

The US Department of State on Tuesday (10 September) announced designation of Mehsud as ‘Specially Designated Global Terrorist’ (SDGT), reports The Hindu.

Mehsud became chief of the terror outfit in June 2018 following the death of Mullah Fazlullah in Afghanistan.

“Noor Wali, also known as Mufti Noor Wali Mehsud, was named the leader of Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in June 2018 following the death of former TTP leader Mullah Fazlullah,” according to a State Department statement.

“Under Noor Wali’s leadership, TTP has claimed responsibility for numerous deadly terrorist attacks across Pakistan,” it added.

Mehsud is among 12 Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) leaders of previously designated groups including TTP, Hizbullah, Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, the Islamic State (IS), IS-Philippines, ISIS-West Africa and an al Qaeda affiliated group fighting in Syria.

The development came after President Trump on Tuesday (10 September) signed an executive order aiming to enhance the US’ ability to target and deprive terrorists and their enablers of financial, material, and logistical support worldwide.