SRINAGAR: Khalilur Rahman Haqqani, the Taliban’s acting Minister for Refugees, was killed in an explosion on Wednesday at the Ministry of Refugees in Kabul, multiple Taliban officials confirmed. The blast, which also claimed the lives of at least five others, has been attributed to a suicide bombing carried out by an assailant who disguised himself as a visitor, pretending to have a physical disability. The attack occurred as Haqqani was leaving the mosque after afternoon prayers.
Haqqani, a senior member of the Taliban and a prominent leader of the Haqqani network, was a key figure in the Taliban government following the group’s return to power in 2021. He was the uncle of Sirajuddin Haqqani, the Taliban’s current Interior Minister. The Haqqani network has been involved in some of the most violent insurgent activities in Afghanistan over the past two decades.
The US State Department had designated Khalilur Rahman Haqqani as a “global terrorist” in 2011 and offered a $5 million reward for information leading to his capture. Despite the Taliban’s claim that ISIS-Khorasan (ISIS-K) was responsible for the attack, no group has yet formally claimed credit for the blast.
The death of Khalilur Rahman Haqqani represents a significant blow to the Haqqani network’s leadership, which has long been a powerful faction within the Taliban. His killing highlights the ongoing instability and violence in Afghanistan, with ISIS-K continuing to target high-ranking Taliban officials and their supporters.
Haqqani was often seen carrying a rifle during official events and meetings. His past and leadership role within the Haqqani network made him a prominent target. His death is likely to further intensify internal power struggles within the Taliban and its affiliated groups.
A senior official at the Taliban-run Ministry of Interior later told CBS News the minister was killed in a suicide attack along with at least four of his associates. The Taliban’s chief spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, later confirmed Haqqani’s death in the attack and blamed the country’s ISIS branch. The Interior Ministry official said the assailant had disguised himself as a visitor, pretending to have a physical disability, before targeting Haqqani with his explosive device as the minister left his office to attend prayers.
Haqqani was the brother of Jalaluddin Haqqani, the late founder of the Haqqani network. “We lost a very brave Mujahid,” his nephew Anas Haqqani told Reuters. “We will never forget him and his sacrifice.” He said the blast took place as Khalil Haqqani was leaving a mosque after afternoon prayers.
The Taliban took over Afghanistan in 2021 as foreign forces withdrew, vowing to restore security, but attacks have continued in urban areas. In 2022, a blast took place near the interior ministry, led by Haqqani network leader Sirajuddin Haqqani, killing four people. In 2023, Daesh claimed an attack outside the Taliban-run foreign ministry that killed at least five.
