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The United States has lifted its $10 million reward offer for information leading to the arrest of Sirajuddin Haqqani, a key Taliban leader, Reuters reported quoting an Afghan Interior Ministry spokesperson on Saturday.
Despite this move, the FBI still lists Haqqani on its website, describing him as a wanted figure who is “believed to have coordinated and participated in cross-border attacks against United States and coalition forces in Afghanistan.”
Who is Sirajuddin Haqqani?
Haqqani has been linked to several high-profile attacks, including the January 2008 attack on a hotel in Kabul that killed six people, including an American citizen. He is also accused of involvement in the 2008 assassination attempt on then-Afghan President Hamid Karzai.
A senior member of the Taliban, Haqqani has long been a significant operational leader, directing attacks against International Security Assistance Forces (ISAF), Afghan officials, and civilians, particularly in the eastern and southern regions of Afghanistan. He has also been associated with recruiting and dispatching fighters into Khost, Paktia, and Paktika provinces.
Among the attacks attributed to Haqqani is the June 18, 2007, suicide bombing on a police academy bus in Kabul, which killed 35 police officers.
Sirajuddin Haqqani Leading The Haqqani Network
The Haqqani Network, a Sunni Islamist militant group, was founded by Jalaluddin Haqqani, Sirajuddin’s father. Jalaluddin rose to prominence as an Afghan warlord during the anti-Soviet war and was a senior figure in the Taliban government in the 1990s.
Jalaluddin was closely linked to Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, serving as one of his primary mentors during the 1980s Afghan war. His ties to both Al-Qaeda and the Taliban strengthened the group’s influence and operational capacity.
Sirajuddin Haqqani took control of the network after the fall of the Taliban in 2001, leading it to the forefront of insurgent activities in Afghanistan. In August 2015, he was named a deputy to then-Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mohammed Mansur, solidifying the Haqqani Network’s alliance with the Taliban.
International Allegations and Funding
The U.S. and international organizations have accused Haqqani of extensive ties to terrorist groups. He has been associated with Al-Qaeda and Jaish-e-Mohammed, with allegations that he has been involved in financing, recruiting, and coordinating attacks for these groups.
The Haqqani Network has reportedly received funding from various sources, including the Taliban, private donors, and drug traffickers. His connections to the Taliban were publicly acknowledged in May 2006 when Mullah Dadullah, a top Taliban military commander at the time, confirmed he worked with Haqqani on operational planning.
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