Khalil Haqqani, Taliban’s acting minister of refugees and a prominent member of the Haqqani network, was killed in a suicide bombing at the Ministry of Refugees’ headquarters in Kabul. The attack, which occurred on Wednesday, claimed the lives of at least four others. According to reports from CNN and CBS News, the bomber, posing as a visitor, detonated explosives as Haqqani was signing paperwork and leaving his office to attend prayers.
Sarajuddin Haqqani, the Taliban’s Interior Minister and head of the Haqqani network, confirmed the death of his uncle. Khalil Haqqani was a key figure within the Haqqani network, a Taliban-affiliated militant group with strong ties to al-Qaeda. He had been designated a Specially Designated Global Terrorist by the United States in 2011, with a $5 million bounty on his head for information leading to his capture.
Investigation Underway
Taliban officials stated that the attack is under investigation, but suspicion falls on ISIS in Afghanistan, which has frequently targeted senior Taliban leaders and security forces in recent years. The suicide bomber reportedly disguised himself as physically disabled to gain access to the ministry’s premises.
A Legacy of Insurgency
Khalil Haqqani was the brother of Jalaluddin Haqqani,
the founder of the Haqqani network. The group has orchestrated some of the most significant and deadly attacks during the Taliban’s two-decade insurgency following the U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan post-9/11.
The Haqqani network has long operated as a critical arm of the Taliban, with a presence in both Afghanistan and Pakistan. Its association with al-Qaeda and history of attacks against Western forces have made it a central figure in Afghanistan’s conflict dynamics.
Focus on Refugee Crisis
In his role as acting minister of refugees, Khalil Haqqani managed Afghanistan’s ongoing refugee crisis. Just last month, he publicly criticized neighboring countries for their treatment of Afghan refugees, urging them to cease deportations. He also called on Afghans abroad to return to their homeland, asserting that the Taliban’s implementation of Islamic Sharia law had established security and stability in Afghanistan.
The attack highlights the ongoing instability and security challenges within Afghanistan under Taliban rule, as internal divisions and external threats from ISIS continue to shape the nation’s turbulent political landscape.