Taliban Minister Khalil Ur-Rahman Haqqani Killed in Suicide Bombing
Kabul, Afghanistan—A high-profile Taliban leader, Khalil Ur-Rahman Haqqani, was killed in a suicide bombing at his Kabul office on Wednesday. The attack also claimed the lives of three of his bodyguards, marking one of the most significant casualties for the Taliban since their return to power in 2021.
Zabihullah Mujahed, the Taliban’s Chief Spokesman, described the incident as a “cowardly attack” by the “enemies of Islam,” confirming Haqqani’s death in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
Haqqani was a key figure in the Haqqani Network, a militant group notorious for orchestrating some of the deadliest attacks on U.S. and allied forces in Afghanistan. Listed on the FBI’s most-wanted list with a $5 million bounty, Haqqani also played a crucial role in establishing the Taliban’s post-2021 government after the U.S. withdrawal.
Context and Possible Perpetrators
While no group has claimed responsibility for the attack, the Islamic State Khorasan (IS-K), a rival faction to the Taliban, has been behind similar high-profile bombings in the past, including targeting Chinese diplomats and key Taliban officials.
Haqqani was not only a minister but also the uncle of Sirajuddin Haqqani, the Taliban’s interior minister and leader of the Haqqani Network. The attack underscores ongoing tensions and challenges to Taliban authority, particularly from IS-K, which has escalated attacks targeting Taliban members and civilians.
This incident raises concerns about the security landscape in Afghanistan, as internal rivalries and insurgencies continue to threaten stability under Taliban rule.