Suicide Bomber Kills Taliban Refugee Minister in Kabul Blast
A suicide bombing in Kabul has killed the Taliban’s minister for refugees, dealing a rare blow to the group’s leadership and highlighting the enduring instability in Afghanistan. The blast, which struck a mosque during evening prayers, sent shockwaves through the country and drew expressions of grief and condemnation.
‘Prepaid Killers’
Photographs of the aftermath showed extensive damage to the mosque and scattered debris. Witnesses reported a large explosion that shook buildings for miles around around 6:15 p.m. local time.
Taliban government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed that the minister, Khalil Ur-Rahman Haqqani, had died alongside several other people.
“Regrettably, we have suffered a loss, and many others are injured,” Mujahid said, vowing to punish those responsible.
Muhareb Amar, around 30, told The Associated Press that he was praying inside the mosque when the explosion rocked the building.
“A lot of people were killed,” he said.
He described the force of the explosion, saying he couldn’t hear for a few moments after the blast.
A Symbolic Target
Haqqani, a leading figure in the Taliban movement, represented a significant connection to the group’s complex relationship with neighboring Pakistan, where he lived for many years. His death is likely to strainDuk
between these two countries.,
As a member of the powerful Haqqani network, an autonomous unit within the Taliban,
Haqqani played a vital role in drive to seized Kabul in August 2021. He was also instrumental in facilitating the Taliban’s talks with the international community.
His assassination, however, highlights the ongoing security vulnerabilities facing Afghanistan despite the Taliban’s hold on power. It is believed that Haqqani was killed by a suicide bomber acting alone, but no group has claimed responsibility.
Dashed Hopes for A More Stable Afghanistan
The attack comes at a time when the Taliban is seeking international recognition and aid. International assistance has been slow to materialize, partly due to concerns over the Taliban’s human rights record and their treatment of women.
“It is a great loss for us,” Qari Samiullah, a senior Taliban official, informed the BBC. “We promise to find and punish the perpetrators.”.
Habibullah Mujahed, Haqqani’s uncle and another prominent Taliban figure, told AFP the difference betweenBLEEDwent out to,” his that despite IRA.
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News of haqqani’s death sparked an immediate outcry, with condolences pouring in from across the country. His nephew bled
This bombing marks a turning point in Afghanistan’s fragile peace.
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It is a stark reminder that, despite the Taliban’s control, the nation still grapples with instability and violence. The attack raises questions about the future of the Taliban regime and the country’s path to stability.
