BLACK-LABELLING OF HAQQANI GROUP BY US

Belated though, the decision of US govt to black-label the Pakistan- based Haqqani network is a welcome step in the right direction. The whole world must have been wondering why such a terror outfit after committing a chain of terror attacks in Afghanistan since a few years ranging from assassinations, kidnappings, suicide attacks targeting important landmarks causing a number of deaths and destruction of properties, most of the attacks were targeting US Embassy and its army, why the nation was keeping a low profile without branding the terror network in its black list. At last after two years of discussions, debates and deliberations US has finally decided to black-label it by including the terror network as one among the Foreign Terror Organisation (FTO). The responsibility to take an appropriate decision was left to US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton. The Democrats and Republicans in the US Congress were unanimous in their stand to take an immediate decision to black-label the Haqqani group. US govt upon taking into consideration the unanimous decision of the Congress members was forced to ignore its fragile relationship with Pakistan after the fateful drone attack killed about 28 Pak soldiers at Mohmand base. The consequent deterioration in their relationship led to US thinking over whether to take a drastic step of black-labeling the Haqqani network which keeps on maintaining a close connection with Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) agency of Pakistan. It is to be noted that soon after NATO forces killed 28 Pakistani soldiers, Pakistan govt directed the US to close its base in Mohmand forthwith and the latter was forced to close its base there. Later after tendering an apology by Hilary Clinton, Pakistan govt allowed the US to open its base at Mohmand. Still the relationship between the two nations was fraught with suspicions and apprehensions.

As already noted it was the Haqqani network behind the assassination of Burhanuddin Rabbani who turned a mediator between the Karzai govt and Taliban based in Afghanistan. Taliban’s enmity towards US and its allies and India which continues to play a positive role in the development of infrastructural facilities by building roads, hospitals, schools and a number of other such facilities badly needed by the war-ravaged Afghanistan, is notorious. The Haqqani network in order to put an obstacle in the path of normalization of relationships between Karzai govt and the Taliban played a behind the scene role of assassinating Burhanuddin Rabbani and with his assassination the ongoing peace process came to an abrupt halt. It was the same Haqqani group behind the assassination of Kandahar Governor Abdul Walikhan Karzai, President Hamid Karzai’s co-brother who was a well-known player in Afghan politics as also was acting as a bridge between US and Afghan govt. Mr.Wali Karzai was closely associated with US for a long time.

Chain of attacks continued unabated with the covert support of Pakistan which was behind the sponsoring of all attacks in Afghanistan. Pakistan with a view to play an active role in Afghanistan after the US and NATO forces withdraw from the country, with the connivance of Haqqani group led by Jalaludheen Haqqani holed up somewhere in the harsh terrains of North Waziristan along with his followers.

It was the same Haqqani network behind the attack on Indian Embassy causing large-scale destruction, it was the same Haqqani network which was behind attacking US Embassy by rockets, it was the same Haqqani network which was behind the attacks on Afghanistan’s elite International hotel and Serena hotel.

Their ultimate aim is to force the US and NATO forces and also the Indians involved in the reconstruction works led by skilled and unskilled workers like doctors, engineers, teachers and labourers out of Afghanistan. Behind all these terror attacks are Pakistan’s Intelligence Agency –ISI (Inter Services Intelligence) which provide funds and logistical support to the Haqqani group. As some experts pointed out the financial and logistical support extended by US govt to Pakistan are being utilized by the Pak govt to sponsor attacks against the US and NATO forces camping in Afghanistan.

Apprehending the threat of Pakistan turning out to be bitter enemy of US, the latter was vacillating over the decision to black-label the Haqqani group which owe allegiance or maintain a close rapport with Pakistan. At last domestic compulsions forced the Obama govt to include the dreaded network in the list of black-labeled terror organizations. Better late than never.