U.S. penalties in effect for Taliban-allied Haqqanis

WASHINGTON -- U.S. sanctions against the Pakistan-based Haqqani network of militants have come into force following the Obama administration's decision to designate the group a "foreign terrorist organization."

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said earlier this month that the step would be taken. The decision was formalized Wednesday with the publication of the announcement in the Federal Register.

The move freezes any assets the group or its members have in U.S. jurisdictions. It also bans Americans from doing business with them.

The Taliban-allied Haqqani network is responsible for numerous attacks in Kabul, the Afghan capital. Among the attacks is last September's rocket-propelled grenade assault on the U.S. Embassy and NATO headquarters.