KABUL (SW) – The Taliban have confirmed Jalaluddin Haqqani, head of the Haqqani Network and former Mujahedeen leader, has died.
In a statement issued by the Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahed, the Haqqani Network’s chief, was pronounced dead of chronic illness. Haqqani was a commander of the Hezb-e-Islami under the leadership of Mawlawi Khalis in fight against the Soviets. Following the fall of Dr. Najibullah’s government, he served as minister for justice. Haqqani tried to mend ties between the Hezb-e-Islami and the Jamiat-e-Islami parties, but failed.
Following the rise of the Taliban, he joined their regime as minister for tribal and frontier affairs. And, following their fall, he formed his own gruella faction, the Haqqani Network. This network has been blamed for some of the lethal attacks in Kabul.
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