Chief of the Haqqani militant network and father of Sirajuddin Haqqani, Jaluluddin Haqqani, died almost a year ago of natural causes and was buried in Afghan province of Khost, according to reliable sources among the Afghan Taliban. While news of Jalaluddin Haqqani’s death had been making rounds for almost a month now, multiple credible sources in Taliban confirmed today that he had died of illness almost a year ago.The militant group has not officially given out a statement over Haqqani’s demise yet. Sources, however, say Sirajudin Haqqani, Jalaluddin’s son, has been running the militant network for over a year now, ever since his father’s illness. News of Jalaluddin’s death comes a mere two days after the announced death of Afghan Taliban’s supreme leader, Mullah Omar.The news of Mullah Omar’s death was first leaked through unnamed sources in Kabul on Wednesday and the Afghan intelligence and government soon after followed in with a confirmation.
The Haqqani network network, formed nearly 30 years ago during the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan, is best known for its massive terrorist attacks on western forces inside Afghanistan. It has long been alleged that it has had links with Pakistan’s intelligence establishment, built during the battle against the Soviet invasion of that country, a factor which made it especially important in the regional militant situation and also in Pak-Afghan politics. It is as yet unclear what the death of Jalaluddin Haqqani will mean in real terms. The Pakistan military launched an operation in North Waziristan, the Haqqani stronghold within the country, just over a year ago and it is uncertain to what degree they have gone after the Haqqanis. The US has for a very long time pressured for the group to be treated as terrorists with both Jalaluddin and Sirajuddin listed as some of the most wanted men by that country. With Jalaluddin and Mullah Omar no longer on the scene, the balance of power will also change within the Taliban and the groups that formed a nexus with it including the Haqqani Network. Precisely how this will work out is something to be seen. But we do know that Mansoor appears to favour talks with the Afghan government. And without Jalaluddin, there may be less opposition to this from the ring of forces that surround the Taliban and have been influential in dictating the policies and strategies it follows. Jalaluddin, as a much revered jihadist leader, had held together militant forces. His death will inevitably weaken them.
pk.shafaqna.com
