www.expressindia.com - Weather | Horoscope | Stocks | RSS
expressindia web city
HomeBlogsCricketAstrologyShopping TendersClassifieds Opinions Hotels
Sign In / Register | Archive
Expressindia » Story

Haqqani, Taliban’s New face

Font Size

Agencies

Posted: Aug 02, 2008 at 0122 hrs IST

From political wilderness, the Taliban has gradually begun its ascent to prominence. It has reached the strategic area of the Punjab after establishing its foothold in the Northwest of Pakistan. The man of the hour is Maulana Jalaluddin Haqqani, an Islamic scholar and strategist par excellence, based in Miram Shah, North Waziristan.

Rumoured to have strong links with the al-Qaeda, Osama Bin Laden and the ISI, the recent attack on the Indian embassy in Kabul has been linked to Haqqani and his loosely linked network across Afghanistan and Pakistan. His power is such that he has been repeatedly wooed by the US and the Afghan Government to join their side but he remains an independent leader. President Hamid Karzai even offered him the post of Prime Minister, which he turned down. He shot to political prominence during the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan and established himself as a force to reckon with when in 1991 his forces successfully captured the town of Khost, in eastern Afghanistan in the first ever victory against the Najibullah Government. His strong ties in the West Asia especially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia ensured a steady inflow of finances. His weaponry includes stinger missiles, rocket-propelled grenades, mortars, explosives and tanks. The Afghan war general was made the Minister of Borders and Tribal Affairs and the Governor of Paktia Province by the Taliban during its years in power. Haqqani and his son, Sirajuddin Haqqani, are believed to be commanders of the Taliban Mujahideen forces in Waziristan. The Waziristan Accord, a ceasefire agreement signed in 2006 allowing Mujahideen fighters to operate in the area following Pakistani law, is testimony to his brilliance.

Discuss this story on expressindia forums
Post Comments
Name* Email ID*
Subject* Country*
Message*
Characters remaining
 
TERMS OF USE: The views, opinions and comments posted are your, and are not endorsed by this website. You shall be solely responsible for the comment posted here. The website reserves the right to delete, reject, or otherwise remove any views, opinions and comments posted or part thereof. You shall ensure that the comment is not inflammatory, abusive, derogatory, defamatory &/or obscene, or contain pornographic matter and/or does not constitute hate mail, or violate privacy of any person (s) or breach confidentiality or otherwise is illegal, immoral or contrary to public policy. Nor should it contain anything infringing copyright &/or intellectual property rights of any person(s).
I agree to the terms of use.

Latest News

Business

Showbiz

Sports

Over 1000 Shiv Sainiks detained, MNIK bookings stopped

Govt talks fuel price hike with allies

China's anti-ship missile not a threat: Navy chief

Pak looking to diminish Indian role in Afghanistan

Hero Honda denies buying Kings XI Punjab

Hearing on Rathore's appeal adjourned till March 10

Two lakh Indians live illegally in US: Report

More
Featured Services
© 2010 The Indian Express Limited. All rights reserved
The Indian Express Group | Advertise With Us | Privacy Policy | Feedback | Work With Us | Site Map