The US slapped sanctions on Pakistan-based terror groups Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e- Mohammad. An official statement in Washington said that the Treasury Department also took action against LeT commander Azam Cheema,who helped train operatives for the 26/11 attacks and was the “mastermind” behind the July 2006 Mumbai train bombings.The department targeted financial and support network of the two terror groups. It also acted against Hafiz Abdul Rahman Makki, head of LeT's political affairs department, for acting for or on behalf of LeT. The US also targeted Al Rehmat Trust, an operational front for JeM and the group's top leader Mohammed Masood Azhar Alvi. Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Stuart Levey said that LeT and JeM have proven both their willingness and ability to execute attacks against innocent civilians. He added that the action is an important step in incapacitating the operational and financial networks of these deadly organizations . Washington's action comes hours before Obama leaves on four-day visit to India, which has been pressing the US to lean on Pakistan to take strong and transparent action against the terror groups operating from its territory