US slaps sanctions on al-Qaeda, Taliban fundraisers

Lalit K Jha

Washington, Feb 10 (PTI) The US today slappedsanctions on two Afghan nationals for providing financial andtactical support to al-Qaeda, Taliban and the Haqqani network,linked to Pakistani extremist groups.

Said Jan Abd Al-Salam and Khalil Al-Rahman Haqqanihave been designated as a Specially Designated GlobalTerrorist, the Department of Treasury said.

Al-Salam was designated for acting for or on behalf ofal-Qaeda and for providing support to Taliban and Haqqani wasdesignated for acting for or on behalf of Taliban, forproviding support to al Qaeda and for acting for or on behalfof Sirajuddin Haqqani.

"Khalil Al-Rahman Haqqani, who is among the Haqqaninetwork''s most important figures and fundraisers, and Said JanAbd Al-Salam have engaged in activities in support of theTaliban and al-Qaeda," said Under Secretary for Terrorism andFinancial Intelligence Stuart Levey.

"Today''s action exposes two consequential sources offinancial and tactical support for these terroristorganisations and is part of a larger US and internationaleffort to degrade their capabilities," he said.

Al-Salam has provided funds to Taliban and al-Qaedaand has facilitated training and weapons acquisition forthe terror group.

In 2008, he collected thousands of dollars infinancial donations for al-Qaeda and Taliban and in 2009transferred funds to members of a Pakistani extremist groupfor al-Qaeda.

In 2007 and 2008, Al-Salam provided thousands ofdollars to the Taliban in Wardak Province, Afghanistan.

A senior member of the Haqqani Network, Khalil Haqqaniengages in fundraising activities on behalf of the Taliban andprovides support to the Taliban operating in Afghanistan.

As of early 2010, he provided funds to Taliban cellsin Logar Province, Afghanistan.

In 2009, Khalil Haqqani was one of several peopleresponsible for the detention of enemy prisoners captured bythe Taliban and the Haqqani Network.

Khalil Haqqani has taken orders for Taliban operationsfrom his nephew Sirajuddin Haqqani, who was designated by theUS in March 2008.