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
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