'Pakistani Imprint': Ex-Envoys Say New Taliban Cabinet in Afghanistan Isn't 'Good News' For India

The United Nations has described the Haqqani Network as the most "combat-ready" division of the Taliban*. Its leader Sirajuddin Haqqani, the deputy head of the Taliban, was originally opposed to peace negotiations with the US. He had warned of retaliation if the US didn't adhere to the troop withdrawal deadline, which the latter eventually did.