Haqqani’s $10M Bounty Vanishes After Taliban Hands Over American

In a stunning diplomatic shift, the United States has lifted the $10 million bounty on Sirajuddin Haqqani, a key Taliban figure, following the release of an American citizen held captive for over two years, as reported on March 23, 2025. The move, which sees the notorious Haqqani Network leader absolved of his long-standing "wanted" status, marks a pragmatic turn in U.S.-Taliban relations, raising eyebrows and questions about the price of securing American lives in a post-war Afghanistan.

Edited By: Madhulika Rai

Last Updated : 23 March 2025, 02:14 PM IST

Haqqani (File)

After the release of the American citizen, the Trump administration has canceled the $10 million bounty on Taliban leader Haqqani. Glezman, who was in Taliban captivity for about two and a half years, was released last week.

U.S Taliban Deal

The United States has taken a step towards improving its relations with the Afghan Taliban. The Afghan Taliban released an American who was imprisoned for two years last week. After this, the US government has also removed the huge bounty of 10 million dollars on Sirajuddin Haqqani, a prominent Taliban figure. Giving information about this, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Afghanistan said that this reward was placed for providing information leading to the arrest of Haqqani.

Haqqani's $10 Million Bounty Vanished

According to Al Jazeera's report, the announcement of removing the bounty on Haqqani was made on Saturday itself. But even after this, Haqqani's name has not been removed from the reward list on the FBI website. This list states that Haqqani is accused of arranging and participating in cross-border attacks against the United States and NATO troops in Afghanistan.

The decision to remove the bounty on Haqqani was taken after the Taliban released an American citizen on Thursday. Giving information about this, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that George Glezman, who was wrongly arrested and kept in Afghanistan for two and a half years, has been released.

Haqqani Cleared of Bounty After US Citizen’s Release
Gleitzman, 65, was arrested by the Taliban two-and-a-half years ago while on a visit to Afghanistan. He was released following talks brokered by Trump's special hostage envoy Adam Boehler, Taliban officials and Qatari officials, the New York Post reported.

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