No plan to designate Haqqani network as for terror group: US

Washington, May 12: The US has currently no plans to designate Pak-based terror network Haqqani network, as a foreign terrorist organisation (FTO), even as it today (May 12) slapped sanctions against Badruddin Haqqani, a "dangerous" commander of the outfit.

The clarification on the Haqqani network came on a day on which Clinton, slapped sanctions against Badruddin, one of its top operational commanders.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton earlier slapped sanctions on Badruddin, who belongs to the militant organisation, which is a Taliban-affiliated group that operates from North Waziristan Agency in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan.

"As a result of the designation, all property subject to US jurisdiction in which Badruddin Haqqani has any interest is blocked and US persons are prohibited from engaging in any transactions with him," the State Department said in a statement.

This action will help stem the flow of financial and other assistance to this "dangerous individual", it said.

Clarifying on the sanctions on Haqqani network, State Department spokesman, Mark Toner, said, "At this point there are no plans to designate the Haqqani Network as a foreign terrorist organisation. As you know, we don't generally talk about that process."

"Our actions are focused on targeting the key individuals within the Haqqani Network and, again, isolating them, limiting their access to financing and et cetera," he said.

Badruddin is the son of HQN founder Jalaluddin Haqqani and his brothers are Nasiruddin Haqqani and Sirajuddin Haqqani, all Specially Designated Global Terrorists.

Designating Haqqani network, as a foreign terrorist organization would result in a wide range of global sanctions against this Pakistan-based terrorist outfit, which top US officials have publicly said has been a threat to American interests in Afghanistan.

PTI