Sirajuddin Haqqani, one of Taliban’s most dangerous members, is touted as a possible successor to Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansoor, who was reportedly killed in a targeted US drone strike in a remote Pakistani area on Saturday.
If Haqqani becomes the Taliban’s leader, there will be severe consequences, according to a Russian Foreign Ministry official, on Monday.
Zamir Kabulov, the Russian diplomat added that so far Haqqani is regarded as the most possible candidate to become the new Taliban chief, while Moscow does not yet possess any final data on Mansour’s death. However, the “probability (of him being killed) is high”, added the diplomat.
There will be hell to pay.
Sirajuddin Haqqani is the most radical figure in Taliban’s leadership.
Kabulov also said that Mansoor’s alleged killing might lead to an escalation of military tensions in Afghanistan, and could “significantly complicate the negotiation process” in the region.
On Monday, US President Barack Obama confirmed that the American military had killed the Taliban leader, proclaiming his death as an important milestone.
The Taliban should seize the opportunity to pursue the only real path for ending this long conflict by joining the Afghan government in a reconciliation process.US President, Barack Obama
While Haqqani has been one of two deputy Taliban commanders, he integrated his own militant faction into the insurgency, known as the Haqqani network. His group is said to be among the most lethal in the region. According to the US State Department, his network was believed to have introduced suicide bombing to Afghanistan and is said to have maintained close ties with Al-Qaeda.
The FBI labeled Haqqani as a “specially designated global terrorist”.
A bounty of up to $5 million has been offered for anyone who can provide information leading to his arrest. He has been wanted for his alleged involvement in the planning of the assassination attempt on Afghan President Hamid Karzai in 2008, among other crimes.
He is also believed to have orchestrated the deadly suicide blast in the Afghan capital Kabul in April. Dozens were killed and hundreds injured in the attack close to the US embassy, whose responsibility was claimed by the Taliban.
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)