Taliban Minister Killed in Suicide Bombing in Kabul
A powerful explosion rocked the Afghan capital of Kabul on Thursday, killing a senior Taliban minister and sending shockwaves through the militant group’s leadership. Khalil al-Rahman Haqqani, the minister for refugee affairs, died along with several others in the suicide bombing, underscoring the volatility that continues to plague Afghanistan despite the Taliban’s takeover in August 2021.
“Challenging Time for the Islamic Emirate”
A Taliban spokesperson tentatively identified as Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed the death, calling it a “big loss” and describing the attack as a “grave conspiracy” in a statement released online. Mujahid hinted the attack was meant to undermine stability, stating that the country was going through a “challenging time for the Islamic Emirate.”
“He was a very important figure for the whole country,” Mujahid said on social media. “This is very sad for us.”
Victim Wanted by U.S.
The attack came approximately a year after the last major bombing targeted a mosque in Kabul, killing dozens. While the Taliban have successfully maintained control in Afghanistan, the risks and challenges they face remain significant, underscored both by this attack and the detailing of similar incidents in the past year by other sources. Haqqani remained on a list of wanted persons by the United States for his alleged involvement in terrorist activities.
Injured and Casualties
The blast, which occurred at the mosque frequented by Haqqani, also injured several other people. The severity of their injuries was not immediately reported. The Taliban’s tightening grip on Afghanistan smoothly has not yet extinguished the risk of continued violence in Afghanistan. It remains unclear who is responsible for the attack, though the interviewer has proposed several groups deemed the most likely perpetrators.
