Khalil Ur-Rahman Haqqani, Afghanistan’s minister for refugees, was killed on Wednesday in a suicide bombing at the ministry’s offices in Kabul, according to a government source.
“An explosion occurred at the Ministry of Refugees, claiming the lives of Minister Haqqani and several colleagues,” the official stated anonymously.
The attack was confirmed to be a suicide blast.
Haqqani, known for carrying an automatic weapon and listed under U.S. sanctions, was a key figure in the Haqqani network—a militant group behind numerous violent attacks during the Taliban insurgency. He was the brother of network founder Jalaluddin Haqqani and uncle to Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani.
Reports suggest ongoing internal power struggles within the Taliban, with the Haqqani faction viewed as more pragmatic, clashing with hardliners aligned with the group’s Kandahar-based leadership.
Since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, several senior leaders, including governors, commanders, and clerics, have been killed, often in attacks claimed by the Islamic State Khorasan (ISIS-K).
Although violence in Afghanistan has decreased significantly since the Taliban’s takeover, ISIS-K remains active, frequently targeting civilians, Taliban officials, and foreign nationals with bombings and shootings.
The incident highlights the ongoing security challenges facing Afghanistan, even as the Taliban consolidate their rule over the country.
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