ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's foreign ministry has expressed anger and disappointment over Washington's move to designate a Kashmir militant group fighting to end India's rule in its area as a terrorist organization. The ministry's spokesman, Nafees Zakaria, said yesterday that Pakistan will continue to extend "political, diplomatic and moral support" to the Kashmiri people in their efforts aimed at self-determination.

Kashmir is divided between Pakistan and India and both claim it in its entirety. Rebel groups in Indian-controlled section of Kashmir have been fighting since 1989 against India's rule there. On Wednesday, the Trump administration said it had designated the Hizbul Mujahideen group as a foreign terrorist organization. Hizbul Mujahideen is the largest of Kashmir's militant groups. Its founder, Syed Salahuddin, was designated a terrorist by the United States in June.-AP