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Tag: Pakistan ISI

  • HOW PAKISTAN’S ISI BUILT AND BROKE AFGHANISTAN

    The Secret War That Shaped 40 Years of Conflict

    INTRODUCTION: THE SPY AGENCY THAT SHAPED A NATION NEXT DOOR

    Most people know Afghanistan for two things: long wars and foreign armies. But behind almost every big moment—Soviet invasion, civil war, the rise of the Taliban, and even America’s withdrawal—there has been one quiet but powerful actor in the shadows:

    Pakistan’s ISI (Inter-Services Intelligence).

    The ISI didn’t just influence Afghanistan.
    For 40 years, it helped build military groups, shape governments, and sometimes even break them.

    This is the story of how a spy agency next door became one of the most powerful forces in Afghanistan’s history—sometimes as a protector, sometimes as a manipulator, and often as the invisible hand pushing events forward.

    SECTION 1: THE BIRTH OF A SECRET WAR (1979–1989)

    1.1 The Soviet Invasion and the ISI’s Golden Moment

    When the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in 1979, Pakistan suddenly became the frontline state of the Cold War. The U.S. and Saudi Arabia needed someone on the ground to organize Afghan rebels—the Mujahideen.

    They chose the ISI.

    For Pakistan, this was a dream come true:

    • Billions in American and Saudi money
    • Full control of training camps
    • Ability to choose which Afghan groups would rise to power
    • A chance to shape Afghanistan’s future

    The ISI created a system:

    • Weapons in from the U.S.
    • Money in from Saudi Arabia
    • Fighters out to Afghanistan

    But the ISI made one big choice that shaped the future:

    They favored the most hardline Islamist factions.

    Why?

    Because they believed Afghanistan must never fall under India’s influence.
    A friendly, Islamist government would be loyal to Pakistan.

    This decision would echo for decades.

    1.2 The Rise of Gulbuddin Hekmatyar

    The ISI’s favorite warlord was Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, a fierce Islamist leader known for brutality.

    He received:

    • The largest share of U.S. weapons
    • ISI protection
    • Training camps
    • Money channels

    But Hekmatyar never won the hearts of Afghans.

    ISI had chosen strength over popularity—an early warning of future mistakes.

    1.3 Victory Over the Soviets, Chaos After

    By 1989, the Soviets withdrew. ISI celebrated.
    But a new problem emerged:

    Who would control Afghanistan now?

    ISI tried to install Hekmatyar.
    Other Mujahideen leaders resisted.
    Civil war broke out.

    ISI had helped the Afghans win against a superpower
    —but had not built a stable future.

    This would not be the last time.

    SECTION 2: THE TALIBAN RISE FROM THE ASHES (1994–2001)

    2.1 Afghanistan Collapses Into Civil War

    After the Soviets left, Kabul became a battlefield.
    Warlords shelled cities, robbed civilians, and fought for power.

    Pakistan’s ISI feared two things:

    1. Afghanistan breaking into pieces
    2. India gaining influence through other factions

    They needed a new force—disciplined, loyal, and strong.

    They found them in the refugee schools of Pakistan.

    2.2 The Taliban Appear

    The Taliban started as young religious students in Pakistan’s border areas.
    Most had grown up in refugee camps.
    Many studied in Pakistani religious schools funded by Saudi money.

    The ISI saw an opportunity.

    They provided:

    • Training
    • Weapons
    • Safe routes
    • Trucks and fuel
    • Advisors

    With ISI support, the Taliban swept across Afghanistan.

    By 1996, they took Kabul.

    Pakistan became the first country to recognize the Taliban government.

    ISI had finally created the “friendly regime” it always wanted.

    2.3 The Taliban’s Strict Rule

    Under Taliban rule:

    • Girls’ schools were shut
    • Harsh punishments were enforced
    • Rival ethnic groups were crushed
    • Al-Qaeda found a new home

    For Pakistan, things seemed stable.
    For Afghans, daily life became much harder.

    But the biggest problem was still hidden:

    ISI never fully controlled the Taliban.
    And inside Afghanistan, resentment grew.

    SECTION 3: 9/11 CHANGES EVERYTHING (2001–2014)

    3.1 The U.S. Arrives and Flips the Chessboard

    After the 9/11 attacks, America invaded Afghanistan.
    The Taliban fell within weeks.

    Suddenly, ISI’s 20-year project was destroyed.

    Pakistan told the U.S.:

    “We will help you fight terrorism.”

    But behind the scenes, things were more complicated.

    3.2 ISI’s Two-Track Strategy

    Pakistan supported the U.S.—officially.
    But it also kept contact with:

    • Taliban leaders
    • Haqqani Network
    • Other insurgent groups

    Why?

    Because Pakistan feared:

    • A strong Afghan government tilting toward India
    • A long-term U.S. presence on both of Pakistan’s borders
    • Losing influence in Kabul

    3.3 The Safe Havens Problem

    Taliban and Haqqani leaders fled into Pakistan’s tribal areas.

    They found:

    • Safe houses
    • Medical care
    • Training camps
    • Ability to regroup

    From these sanctuaries, they rebuilt their forces.

    U.S. commanders often said:

    “We cannot win a war where the enemy can rest on the other side of the border.”

    And they were right.

    SECTION 4: THE HAQQANI NETWORK—ISI’S MOST POWERFUL ALLY

    Among all groups ISI supported, one was the most effective:

    The Haqqani Network

    Led by the Haqqani family, they ran:

    • Cross-border raids
    • Suicide attacks
    • Kidnapping networks
    • Business operations
    • Taliban diplomacy

    The ISI saw them as reliable partners.

    The U.S. saw them as the deadliest force in the war.

    The Haqqanis eventually became:

    • Taliban’s military backbone
    • Controllers of Kabul’s security
    • Kingmakers in Afghan politics after 2021

    This was ISI’s long game—and it worked.

    SECTION 5: THE U.S. WITHDRAWAL AND ISI’S FINAL CHECKMATE (2018–2021)

    5.1 The Doha Agreement Weakens Kabul

    When the U.S. began peace talks with the Taliban in Doha, Pakistan helped bring the Taliban to the table.

    But Kabul’s government was excluded.

    This decision:

    • Boosted Taliban morale
    • Crushed Afghan military confidence
    • Showed the world the Taliban were legitimate
    • Placed Pakistan back at the center of Afghan politics

    5.2 The Fall of Kabul

    When the Taliban launched their final offensive in 2021, Afghan forces collapsed in 11 days.

    ISI-trained networks played key roles:

    • Taliban units swept through the south
    • Haqqanis took Kabul
    • Pakistan’s intelligence chief (Lt. Gen. Faiz Hameed) arrived in Kabul days later to help form the new government

    Pakistan had finally regained a friendly Afghanistan.

    But new problems emerged.

    SECTION 6: HOW ISI’S STRATEGY BROKE AFGHANISTAN TOO

    Even though ISI secured long-term influence, Afghanistan paid a huge price.

    6.1 Four Decades of War

    By supporting armed groups, ISI helped keep Afghanistan in a constant state of conflict.

    6.2 Weak Governments

    No Afghan leader could stand strong while Pakistan favored militant alternatives.

    6.3 Ethnic Tensions

    ISI-backed groups were mostly Pashtun, increasing divisions with Tajiks, Hazaras, and Uzbeks.

    6.4 Taliban 2.0 and International Isolation

    Pakistan helped the Taliban return—but the new regime is isolated and unrecognized, creating:

    • Economic collapse
    • Humanitarian crisis
    • Security risks

    6.5 The Monster Pakistan Can’t Control

    The irony?

    Some groups ISI once supported now attack Pakistan itself.

    Especially the Pakistani Taliban (TTP), who share roots with the Afghan Taliban.

    Pakistan built a network so powerful…
    that parts of it slipped out of control.

    SECTION 7: WINNERS AND LOSERS OF ISI’S LONG GAME

    Winners

    • Pakistan’s military (short-term influence)
    • Taliban (control of Afghanistan)
    • Haqqani Network (key positions in Kabul)

    Losers

    • Afghan civilians (40 years of war)
    • Afghan women (rights rolled back)
    • Afghan economy (global isolation)
    • Regional stability
    • Pakistan’s own internal security

    ISI won influence—but at massive cost.

    SECTION 8: CONCLUSION — A SUPERPOWER IN THE SHADOWS

    For 40 years, Pakistan’s ISI shaped Afghanistan more than any other force besides the U.S. and USSR.

    It:

    • Built the Mujahideen
    • Raised the Taliban
    • Played both sides during the U.S. war
    • Helped engineer the Taliban’s return
    • Became the most influential foreign actor in Afghanistan

    But its strategy also helped prolong violence, weaken institutions, and create long-term instability that affects both nations today.

    Citations

    Afghanistan’s story is not only about the big powers.
    It is also about the hidden hands in the shadows—
    and no hand was more active than Pakistan’s ISI.

    Council on Foreign Relations, “The ISI and Terrorism: Behind the Accusations” — explains ISI’s links to Afghan militant groups, including the Taliban and Haqqani Network. Council on Foreign Relations

    India Today, “ISI has links with militants: Musharraf” — outlines former Pakistani President Musharraf’s admission about ISI using Haqqani influence. India Today

    India Today, “ISI paid Haqqani Network $200,000 to fund bombing” — based on U.S. diplomatic cables. India Today

    FDD Long War Journal, “Admiral Mullen: Pakistani ISI Sponsoring Haqqani Attacks” — U.S. military leadership accusing ISI of supporting Haqqani operations. FDD

    Counter Extremism Project, “Afghanistan: Extremism & Counter-Extremism” — detailed report on Haqqani Network’s role among militant groups and ISI ties. Counter Extremism Project

    India Today, “How Pakistan’s ISI is fuelling Haqqani-Taliban infighting” — on ISI strategy to maintain influence through Haqqani within Taliban. India Today

    Inter-Services Intelligence activities in Afghanistan, Wikipedia — summary of ISI’s covert role in Afghanistan across multiple decades. Wikipedia

  • The Haqqani Network: The Taliban’s Silent Power Brokers

    How One Family Became the Kingmakers of Afghanistan

    Introduction: The Most Powerful Group You’ve Never Heard Of

    When people think of the Taliban, they often imagine one group with one leader.
    But the truth is more complex.

    Inside the Taliban, there are factions, rivalries, and power struggles.
    And at the center of this web sits a secretive group that changed the war — and now shapes the future of Afghanistan:

    The Haqqani Network.

    This group is more than a Taliban faction.
    It is a family dynasty, a military powerhouse, and one of the world’s most dangerous militant organizations.

    They built a network stretching across Afghanistan and Pakistan.
    They ran elite fighters, suicide squads, kidnappers, and smuggling lines.
    They maintained deep ties to Pakistan’s intelligence service (the ISI).
    And by 2021, they became the most powerful faction inside the Taliban government.

    This is the story of how the Haqqani Network rose from a local guerrilla group to the true kingmakers of Afghanistan.

    Chapter 1 — The Haqqani Family: A Dynasty of Fighters

    The Haqqani Network is named after Jalaluddin Haqqani, a man who began fighting in the 1970s.
    Long before the Taliban existed, Jalaluddin gathered tribes, militias, and religious students into a group of loyal fighters.

    Why Jalaluddin Became Famous

    • He fought against the Soviet Union during the 1980s.
    • The CIA, Pakistan, and Arab donors funded his operations.
    • He became known for daring attacks and major victories.
    • Foreign fighters passing through Afghanistan saw him as a hero.

    He was respected not only by Afghans but also by fighters from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and across the Muslim world — including a young Osama bin Laden.

    The Birth of a Network

    Instead of building a traditional militia, Jalaluddin built a family empire:

    • His sons became commanders.
    • His relatives ran smuggling routes.
    • His students formed loyal units.
    • His tribal alliances protected him.

    This wasn’t just a group of fighters.
    It was a network — connected by blood, money, and loyalty.

    Chapter 2 — A Marriage of Convenience: Haqqanis & The Taliban

    When the Taliban formed in the 1990s, they needed strong commanders in the east.
    Jalaluddin Haqqani controlled that region.
    So the Taliban offered him a deal:

    • You keep your fighters.
    • You keep your network.
    • You pledge loyalty to the Taliban.
    • And in return, you get political power.

    It worked.

    Haqqanis Gain Influence

    The Taliban gave Jalaluddin:

    • A government position
    • Freedom to operate independently
    • Control of eastern Afghanistan

    And in return, the Taliban gained:

    • A powerful ally
    • A seasoned commander
    • Access to tribal networks
    • Connections to Pakistan

    It was an alliance that would reshape Afghanistan for decades.

    Chapter 3 — Pakistan’s ISI and the Haqqani Connection

    One of the biggest reasons the Haqqanis became so powerful is their deep relationship with Pakistan’s intelligence service, the ISI.

    Why Pakistan Supported the Haqqanis

    Pakistan wanted:

    • Influence in Afghanistan
    • A friendly Afghan government
    • A strong force against India
    • A group that could operate along the border

    The Haqqanis were perfect for this.
    They were loyal partners, skilled fighters, and willing to keep ties with the ISI.

    The Safe Haven in North Waziristan

    While fighting in Afghanistan, the Haqqani Network kept its headquarters in:
    Miranshah, North Waziristan (Pakistan)

    From there they:

    • Recruited fighters
    • Built bombs
    • Trained suicide squads
    • Planned attacks
    • Funded operations

    Pakistan publicly denied supporting them, but most experts agree the relationship was deep and long-lasting.

    Chapter 4 — The Haqqani Network’s Signature Style of War

    The Haqqani Network became known for a different kind of warfare — brutal, precise, and psychological.

    1. Complex Suicide Attacks

    Unlike typical Taliban raids, Haqqani attacks often involved:

    • Multiple attackers
    • Car bombs
    • Suicide vests
    • Firefights
    • Hostage-taking
    • Follow-up explosions

    They hit:

    • Hotels
    • Ministries
    • Embassies
    • Military bases
    • The Kabul Serena Hotel
    • The Indian embassy
    • The U.S. Embassy district

    2. Kidnapping for Ransom

    The Haqqanis ran one of the most organized kidnapping networks in the region.
    They captured:

    • Journalists
    • NGO workers
    • Soldiers
    • Diplomats

    And used the money to fund operations.

    3. Guerrilla Warfare

    They knew the mountains, valleys, and trails better than anyone.
    Their fighters were disciplined, flexible, and mobile.

    4. Psychological Warfare

    Their attacks terrified Afghans and foreign powers alike.
    This gave them political influence far beyond their numbers.

    Chapter 5 — Sirajuddin Haqqani: The Most Wanted Interior Minister in the World

    After Jalaluddin grew older, leadership passed to his son:

    Sirajuddin Haqqani

    He is one of the most feared and influential men in Afghanistan.

    Why Sirajuddin Matters

    • He is on the FBI’s Most Wanted list
    • He once managed suicide bombers
    • He built alliances with Al-Qaeda
    • He coordinated assassinations and kidnappings
    • He negotiated with Pakistan and the Gulf states
    • He became the Taliban’s deputy leader

    Today, he is the Interior Minister of Afghanistan.

    This position gives him control of:

    • Police
    • Intelligence
    • Border security
    • Travel documents
    • Internal checkpoints
    • National security forces

    In other words:
    Sirajuddin controls the streets, the borders, and the security of the entire country.

    Chapter 6 — Why the Haqqanis Became the Power Center After 2021

    When Kabul fell in August 2021, the world imagined the Taliban taking over smoothly.
    But inside Afghanistan, things were different.

    There were tensions:

    • Kandahari Taliban vs. Haqqanis
    • Ideological leaders vs. military leaders
    • Tribal factions competing for power

    The Haqqanis moved fast.
    They took:

    • The presidential palace
    • The interior ministry
    • The intelligence headquarters
    • Key checkpoints
    • Kabul’s police departments

    Their fighters flooded the city.
    Within days, they became the real power in Kabul.

    Chapter 7 — The Haqqani Vision for Afghanistan

    Unlike some Taliban factions, the Haqqanis are:

    • More connected to Pakistan
    • More comfortable with business deals
    • More open to foreign influence
    • Still deeply conservative
    • Still committed to jihad

    Their goal is not just to rule Afghanistan.
    Their goal is to build a regional power base that stretches across:

    • Eastern Afghanistan
    • Western Pakistan
    • Tribal border regions

    For them, borders are flexible.
    Tribal loyalty is everything.
    And long-term influence matters more than ideology.

    Chapter 8 — Why the Haqqanis Matter for the Future

    1. They control Kabul’s security

    This makes them the most powerful faction in the Taliban government.

    2. They maintain ties with Pakistan

    This gives them external backing and safe havens.

    3. They control key business and smuggling routes

    Money equals power.

    4. They have influence over Al-Qaeda and other groups

    This shapes global terrorism risks.

    5. They control the movement of people

    Passports, checkpoints, and police — all under Haqqani control.

    6. They operate like a mafia family

    Loyalty, secrecy, and family ties define everything.

    Conclusion — The Shadow Rulers of Afghanistan

    The Haqqani Network is more than a Taliban faction.
    It is a family-run empire, a political powerhouse, and a militant network with global reach.

    They fought the Soviets.
    They partnered with the Taliban.
    They survived U.S. forces.
    They built relationships with Pakistan’s ISI.
    And now, they control large parts of Afghanistan’s government.

    If the Taliban is the face of Afghanistan,
    the Haqqani Network is its spine.

    Understanding Afghanistan’s future means understanding the Haqqanis —
    because today, they are the ones quietly shaping the country from the shadows.

    📚 Citations

    • U.S. National Counterterrorism Center, Haqqani Network Profile
    • United Nations Security Council Reports on the Haqqani Network (2021–2023)
    • BBC Monitoring, Haqqani Influence in Kabul
    • New York Times, “Taliban’s Most Powerful Faction”
    • Stanford University, Mapping Militants Project: Haqqani Network