Khalil Ur-Rahman Haqqani, the Taliban regime’s minister for refugees, was killed in a suicide attack on Wednesday inside the Ministry of Refugees building in Kabul. The blast also claimed the lives of at least four of Haqqani’s associates, according to officials from the Taliban-led Interior Ministry.
The attack, one of the most high-profile assassinations since the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan in 2021, has shaken the regime. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed Haqqani’s death and attributed the bombing to the Islamic State’s Afghan affiliate, known as ISIS-K. No group has formally claimed responsibility.
According to ministry sources, the assailant infiltrated the heavily guarded building by disguising himself as a visitor with a physical disability. The attacker detonated his explosive device near Haqqani as he was leaving his office for prayers.
Khalil Haqqani, a key member of the powerful Haqqani network and uncle of Sirajuddin Haqqani, the acting interior minister, played a prominent role in the Taliban’s return to power. He was notably one of the first Taliban commanders to enter Kabul after the U.S.-backed Afghan government collapsed. Haqqani’s strong military background and connections within the network had made him a significant figure in the regime.
His death marks a serious blow to the Taliban leadership and underscores ongoing security challenges in Afghanistan. While the Taliban and Haqqani network are allies, their relationship is marked by power struggles within the regime. Both are designated as terrorist organizations by the U.S. government, with the Haqqani network known for its links to al-Qaeda and its history of orchestrating high-profile attacks.
Khalil Haqqani had been on the U.S. government’s radar for decades, with a $5 million bounty for information leading to his capture. Despite his controversial past, he became a key political figure in the Taliban government, often wielding his rifle at official meetings, symbolizing the militant ethos of his faction.
The attack raises questions about the Taliban’s ability to maintain security even within their ranks, highlighting the persistent threat from rival extremist groups.
