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| English: A wanted poster of warlard Sirajuddin "Siraj" Haqqani (alias "Khalifa") depicting a composit sketch of the man and text urging his capture in exchange for reward. The bounty on Haqqani has grown greatly since the this original poster was published. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
Today the US State Department added Haqqani Network's chief of suicide operations to
the list of Specially Designated Global Terrorists. Qari Zakir, who is
also known as Abdul Rauf, is now the 10th Haqqani Network leader to be
added to the US's list of global terrorists since 2008.
State described Qair Zakir as "the chief of suicide operations for the Haqqani Network and the operational commander in Kabul, Takhar, Kunduz, and Baghlan provinces" in Afghanistan. Additionally, Zakir runs the al Qaeda-linked terror group's "training program, which includes instruction in small arms, heavy weapons, and basic improvised explosive device (IED) construction."
According to State, Qari Zakir "has been involved in many of the Haqqani Network's high-profile suicide attacks and is partially responsible for making some of the final determinations on whether or not to proceed with large-scale attacks planned by local district-level commanders." Haqqani Network fighters that have graduated from his training program have been involved in some of the most high-profile suicide assaults in Afghanistan over the past several years, including the September 2011 attack on the US embassy and other installation in Kabul; the June 2011 suicide assault on the Intercontinental Hotel, also in Kabul; and a series of massed assaults on Forward Operating Base Salerno in Khost province in 2010. Although not listed by State, he was also very likely involved in the September 2012 suicide assault on FOB Salerno, which included at least one foreign fighter from Oman.
Qari Zakir is considered to be "a trusted associate and confidant" of Sirajuddin Haqqani, the operational commander of the Haqqani Network. Qari Zakir approached Siraj in 2008 to help expand the Haqqani Network's operations in northern Afghanistan. In turn, Siraj agreed to fund his operations.
Qari Zakir is an Afghan citizen, and is based out of Miramshah the main town in Pakistan's Taliban-controlled tribal agency of North Waziristan. Miramshah serves as the headquarters for the Haqqani Network.
State described Qair Zakir as "the chief of suicide operations for the Haqqani Network and the operational commander in Kabul, Takhar, Kunduz, and Baghlan provinces" in Afghanistan. Additionally, Zakir runs the al Qaeda-linked terror group's "training program, which includes instruction in small arms, heavy weapons, and basic improvised explosive device (IED) construction."
According to State, Qari Zakir "has been involved in many of the Haqqani Network's high-profile suicide attacks and is partially responsible for making some of the final determinations on whether or not to proceed with large-scale attacks planned by local district-level commanders." Haqqani Network fighters that have graduated from his training program have been involved in some of the most high-profile suicide assaults in Afghanistan over the past several years, including the September 2011 attack on the US embassy and other installation in Kabul; the June 2011 suicide assault on the Intercontinental Hotel, also in Kabul; and a series of massed assaults on Forward Operating Base Salerno in Khost province in 2010. Although not listed by State, he was also very likely involved in the September 2012 suicide assault on FOB Salerno, which included at least one foreign fighter from Oman.
Qari Zakir is considered to be "a trusted associate and confidant" of Sirajuddin Haqqani, the operational commander of the Haqqani Network. Qari Zakir approached Siraj in 2008 to help expand the Haqqani Network's operations in northern Afghanistan. In turn, Siraj agreed to fund his operations.
Qari Zakir is an Afghan citizen, and is based out of Miramshah the main town in Pakistan's Taliban-controlled tribal agency of North Waziristan. Miramshah serves as the headquarters for the Haqqani Network.
Read more: http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2012/11/us_adds_haqqani_netw_2.php#ixzz2BOCIgzYA
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