US hits alleged Haqqani commander with sanctions

WASHINGTON — The US Treasury hit a "key" commander in the powerful Haqqani network with sanctions Thursday, raising pressure on Pakistan to do more against the Al-Qaeda and Taliban-linked group.

The Treasury said Abdul Aziz Abbasin, an Afghan native, was appointed by the Haqqani network as "the Taliban shadow governor" in Orgun district of Afghanistan.

There he is said to command a group of Taliban fighters and has helped run a militant training camp.

Four other figures with links to Taliban and Al-Qaeda activities in Afghanistan and Pakistan were named in the sanctions, which aim at putting pressure on financial links to the groups.   Read More

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