Haqqani network chief's son shot dead in Islamabad

, Nov 11: The son of the chief of the Haqqani

network, blamed for attacks on US forces and the Indian Embassy in Kabul, was shot dead by unidentified gunmen near the Pakistani capital, leaders of the group said today.

Haqqani network leader Nasiruddin Haqqani, the eldest son of warlord Jalaluddin Haqqani, was killed by gunmen riding a motorcycle when he was returning home from a mosque late last night in Barakahu area, leaders of the group said.

"I can confirm that Dr Naseer has been martyred," a militant, who previously worked with the Haqqani network in North Waziristan, was quoted as saying by The Express Tribune. Giving details of the incident, the militant said Nasiruddin's body had been sent to Miranshah for burial yesterday.

Nasiruddin had been mainly involved in dialogue-related matters of the Haqqani network. Jalaluddin’s three other sons have also been killed. Born in Paktika province of Afghanistan, Nasiruddin was put on the UN Security Council’s sanctions list for individuals subjected to assets freeze, travel ban and arms embargo after the 9/11 attacks.

According to the sanctions list, Nasiruddin had travelled to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to raise funds for the Taliban and operated from Pakistan’s North Waziristan tribal region. The Haqqani network, founded by Jalaluddin, is considered the most dangerous Taliban faction in Afghanistan.

The Haqqanis have been blamed for devastating attacks on the Afghan government, US and Nato forces and the Indian Embassy in Kabul. The network is also considered to be close to the Inter-Services Intelligence and the Pakistani military.

PTI