The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) slapped sanctions on Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan splinter group Jamaatul Ahrar (JuA), in a move welcomed by the Pakistani government on Friday, which had banned the group in November 2016.

The Foreign Office (FO) in a press release praised the inclusion of the JuA on the UNSC sanctions list, saying: "Pakistan welcomes the listing of Jamaatul Ahrar by the UN Security Council."

"The Security Council’s 1267 Sanctions Committee yesterday approved the addition of JuA in the list of entities and individuals subject to the assets freeze, travel ban and arms embargo. Pakistan had proposed this listing," the FO said.

The FO statement added that the JuA operates from Afghanistan's Nangarhar province.

The JuA joins the likes of the militant Islamic State group and Al Qaeda who are also on the sanctions list, alongside other groups which are breakaway factions of the terror groups.

The JuA first came to prominence when it claimed responsibility for the 2014 Wagah attack targeting security forces protecting the Shia community. At least 61 people were killed in the attack and over 100 others were injured.

The terror group has claimed responsibility for a number of attacks in Pakistan in recent times, particularly those targeting military and law enforcement personnel, government buildings, politicians, minority groups and lawyers.

In August 2016, the US State Department designated JuA as Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs).