Taliban Refugee Minister Khalil Haqqani Killed in Devastating Kabul Suicide Bombing

Kabul (Daily Pakistan Online) A suicide bombing targeting the Afghan interior ministry in Kabul claimed the life of Taliban refugee minister Khalil Haqqani and six others. The attack, which occurred as Haqqani was leaving his office, has been attributed to Islamic State militants by the Taliban, although no group has officially claimed responsibility. Haqqani, a prominent member of the powerful Haqqani network and a designated global terrorist by the United States, is the highest-profile casualty for the Taliban since their return to power in 2021. His death underscores the ongoing security challenges facing Afghanistan, despite an overall improvement in security since the Taliban takeover. The Haqqani family has a long history of involvement in militant activities, with Haqqani’s brother, Jalaluddin, founding the Haqqani network and fighting against Soviet troops in the 1980s. The network has been responsible for numerous attacks during the Taliban’s insurgency. Haqqani’s nephew, Sirajuddin, currently serves as the interior minister in the Taliban government. While the Taliban has made strides in restoring security, Afghanistan continues to experience numerous bombings and suicide attacks each year, many of which have been claimed by Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP), a regional affiliate of the Islamic State group and a major rival of the Taliban.