DAR AL HARB - U.K.: TWO MORE JIHADIST GROUPS HIT THE 'BAN LIST'

Britain bans two more Islamist groups
by Peter Walker

The government is to ban two extreme Islamist groups accused of carrying out terrorist attacks in south Asia, ministers announced today.

Jamayetul Mujahideen Bangladesh and Tehreek Nifaz-e-Shariat Mohammadi would be added to the list of organisations proscribed under the Terrorism Act. The additions were unconnected with the attempted car bombings in London and Glasgow, a Home Office statement said.

The minister for counter-terrorism and security, Tony McNulty, published a draft order in parliament today. Once passed, it will be an offence to belong to or encourage support for either group.

"As events over the last few days have shown only too clearly, the threat we face from terrorism remains real and serious," Mr McNulty said in a statement.

"Proscription powers are a key tool in the fight against terrorism, creating a hostile environment in which terrorists find it increasingly difficult to operate, whether in this country or abroad."

Jamayetul Mujahideen Bangladesh is already banned in that country, where it seeks to impose strict Islamic law. It has claimed responsibility for attacks in Bangladesh, including a wave of bombings in 2005 that killed at least 30 people. The group's leader, Shaikh Abdur Rahman, and his deputy were among six people hanged in March for their role in the violence.

Tehreek Nifaz-e-Shariat Mohammadi is active in tribal areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan. The group "regularly attacks coalition and Afghan government forces in Afghanistan and provides direct support to al-Qaida and the Taliban", according to the draft order.

The group was blamed for a suicide bombing that killed 44 Pakistani military cadets in November 2006.

Thus far, 44 primarily Islamist organisations have been banned in the UK, along with 14 groups in Northern Ireland outlawed under earlier legislation (see the full Home Office list).



Pertinent Links:

1) Britain bans two more Islamist groups