Taking more stringent action against the Taliban and its leaders, the United States has slapped financial sanctions against three top Taliban leaders, including Nasiruddin Haqqani. The sanctions announced by the Department of Treasury, besides Nasiruddin also target Gul Agha Ishakzai, an aide of Taliban chief Mullah Omar and Amir Abdullah. The move could be a big setback to Pakistan army which has been cozying up to President Hamid Karzai to involve the Haqqani faction in the proposed new set-up in Afghanistan, post US and NATO withdrawal from the country. Under the sanctions, the assets of these militants will be freezed and their travel will be banned. Together with US sanctions, the new action prohibits any financial transaction of these terror leaders in member countries of the UN.