KARACHI: Jamaat-ul-Ahrar and Lashkar-i-Jhangvi Al-Alami, two militant outfits allegedly linked to the terror group Islamic State (IS), have been banned for their involvement in terrorist activities across the country.

The federal government took the decision after recent attacks on sectarian grounds in different parts of the country [including Karachi] were claimed by the two groups, said a senior government official.

“The two organisations were added to the banned outfits’ list on Nov 11,” said the official while referring to a revised list of banned organisations available on the website of the National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA).

The NACTA list, which was updated on Friday soon after the govt’s decision, showed a total of 63 banned outfits in the country.

“The latest addition came after series of investigations led to the fact that the two militant groups were actively involved in the terrorism activities mostly on sectarian grounds. Karachi has also witnessed a recent surge in attacks on sectarian grounds executed mostly by the Lashkar-i-Jhangvi Al Alami.”

According to a statement issued by the ministry of interior, the final decision was taken after feedback from different security, intelligence, investigation and law enforcement agencies and the same was forwarded by the Sindh police and its Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), mainly after the Oct 29 killing of five persons, including three brothers, outside a Nazimabad house where a Muharram majlis for women was in progress.