Ahead of President Barack Obama's maiden visit to India, the US has slapped sanctions on Pakistan-based terror groups Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e- Mohammad. It also targetted LeT commander Azam Cheema, a key operational figure in the 26/11 attacks. An official statement in Washington said, the Treasury Department took action against 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.Washington's action comes hours before Obama leaves for 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. Obama's first halt will be Mumbai where he will stay at Taj hotel, the scene of audacious attacks by LeT terrorists in 2008. The attacks at Taj and other places in Mumbai had left 166 people dead and over 300 injured. Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Stuart Levey said, LeT and JeM have proven both their willingness and ability to execute attacks against innocent civilians. LeT was designated as a terrorist outfit in May 2005.