ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan

KABUL, Afghanistan (Oct. 1, 2011) — A combined Afghan and coalition security force captured the senior Haqqani network leader in Afghanistan during a security operation in Jani Khel district, Paktiya province, Tuesday.

Security forces detained Haji Mali Khan, uncle of Siraj and Badruddin Haqqani and the senior Haqqani commander in Afghanistan.  He was one of the highest ranking members of the Haqqani network and a revered elder of the Haqqani clan.

He reportedly worked directly under Siraj Haqqani, and managed bases and had oversight of operations in both Afghanistan and Pakistan.  Mali Khan moved forces from Pakistan to Afghanistan to conduct terrorist activity.  Jalaluddin Haqqani consistently placed Mali Khan in positions of high importance.

Mali Khan served as an emissary between the late Baitullah Mahsud and senior leaders within the Haqqani leadership.  Before he was killed last year, Mahsud was the Tehrik Taliban Pakistan top leader who provided foreign fighters, including Uzbeks, to the Taliban and Haqqani networks.  He led 20,000 pro-Taliban militants and organized attacks against Pakistani and Afghan targets.  Mahsud was blamed for the Dec. 2007 assassination of former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.

In the past year, Haji Mali Khan established a militant camp in Mangal tribal lands in Paktiya province, coordinated the transfer of money for insurgents operations, and facilitated the acquisition of supplies.

Although he was heavily armed during the operation that led to his capture, Mali Khan submitted to the security force without incident or resistance.

Multiple additional insurgents were detained during the security operation, to include Mali Khan’s deputy and body guard.

The Haqqani network and its safe havens remain a top priority for Afghan and coalition forces. Security forces have conducted more than 500 operations so far in 2011 in an effort to disrupt the Haqqani network leadership, resulting in the death of 20 network facilitators and the capture of nearly 300 insurgent leaders and 1,300 suspected Haqqani insurgents.

The capture of Haji Mali Khan marks a significant milestone in the disruption of the Haqqani network. .