Sirajuddin Haqqani

Sirajuddin (Siraj) Haqqani is an anti-government leader in the Afghanistan War (2001-), with complex power bases beginning with the Haqqani Network founded by his father, Jalaluddin Haqqani. This is a Pashtun group active on both sides of the Durand Line between Afghanistan and Pakistan; the family are members of the Zadran tribe. It is a shadow government in North Waziristan in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan, and his probable physical location.

In addition, he is on the Quetta Shura of the Taliban. He also has ties to al-Qaeda and has carried out operations, such as a raid on a UN guesthous in Kabul, with its Shadow Army.

Under the Quetta Shura, he commands Miramshah Regional Military Shura and is the shadow governor of Paktika, Paktia and Khost Provinces.

It has been argued that he is among the Taliban leaders that would have to be included in any Afghan peace negotiation, on the condition he accept the Afghan constitution and break ties with al-Qaeda. Since a settlement would involve Pakistan, from the Pakistani standpoint, he also would have to break with the Taliban in Pakistan. There is also speculation that the head of the Pakistani military and former chief of Inter-Services Intelligence, Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, regards him as a "strategic asset".

In news interviews, Haqqani admitted planning the January 14, 2008 attack against the Serena Hotel in Kabul, as well as having planned the April 2008 assassination attempt on Afghan President Hamid Karzai. The U.S. has offered up to $5 million for his location, arrest or conviction.