Afghanistan Arrests Two Haqqani Network Commanders

October 16, 2014

Afghan security officials said they have arrested two senior leaders of the Haqqani network, a hard-line group behind some of the deadliest attacks and kidnappings in the country.

Anas Haqqani, the son of the network's founder Jalaluddin Haqqani, was arrested along with another commander, Hafiz Rashid, in the eastern Khost province, the National Directorate of Security (NDS) said on October 16.

NDS spokesman Haseeb Sediqi said Anas Haqqani played a key role in the network's "strategic decision-making" and fundraising. 

The Haqqani network, a key ally of the Taliban and Al-Qaeda, has been fighting against NATO and Afghan government forces since 2001.

The network was founded by Jalaluddin Haqqani to fight Soviet troops in Afghanistan in the 1980s.

The movement's current leader, Sirajuddin Haqqani, is one of the United States' most wanted men, with $10 million reward for his capture.

Based on reporting by AFP, dpa, and RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan