US designates Aziz Haqqani of Haqqani network as 'global terrorist'

WASHINGTON: Abdul Aziz Haqqani, a top leader of Pakistan-based dreaded Haqqani network, has been named as a 'Specially Designated Global Terrorist' by the US for his involvement in planning and carrying out attacks against Afghanistan.

Following his inclusion in the 'Specially Designated Global Terrorist' list, Aziz Haqqani comes under the ambit of US sanctions, which prohibits any US national from maintaining any relationship with him and seizure of all his assets, if any, in the US.

Aziz Haqqani assumed the leadership role of the al Qaeda-linked Haqqani network after the death of his brother Badruddin Haqqani.

In August last year the US had announced a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to the location of Aziz.

Aziz Haqqani is a senior member of the Haqqani Network and brother of Haqqani Network leader Sirajuddin Haqqani.

For several years, he has been involved in planning and carrying out improvised explosive device (IED) attacks against Afghan government targets, and assumed responsibility for all major Haqqani Network attacks after the death of his brother, Badruddin Haqqani, the State Department said.

The Department of State designated the Haqqani Network as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation in September 2012.

The Haqqani Network has planned and carried out a number of significant kidnappings and attacks against US interests in Afghanistan, as well as Afghan government and civilian targets.

The group is also blamed for several deadly attacks against Indian interests in Afghanistan including the 2008 bombing of the Indian mission in Kabul that killed 58 people.

In June this year, Afghanistan's intelligence agency has arrested a group of Haqqani network militants who plotted terror attack from Pakistan on a popular guest house here that killed 14 people, including four Indians.

The terrorists had attacked the guest house thinking Indian Ambassador Amar Sinha was present in the compound.