Taliban Refugee Minister Khalil Haqqani Killed in Kabul Suicide Bombing

Taliban’s Minister for Refugees, Khalil Haqqani was killed in a suicide bombing in Kabul. The bombing, attributed to ISIS, took place at the Ministry of Refugees compound, where Haqqani was signing documents. Six others were also reported dead in the attack.

Haqqani, a prominent figure within the Taliban and uncle of Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani, was a key member of the Haqqani network, a faction of the Taliban known for its significant military operations. The Taliban condemned the attack, blaming ISIS for the “cowardly” strike.

The bombing marks the highest-profile casualty since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021. Haqqani had been on the U.S. terrorism list since 2011, and the Haqqani network has a long history of major attacks. Tensions have simmered between the Haqqani faction and other Taliban leaders, primarily over differing governance approaches.