A suicide bombing in Kabul today claimed the life of Khalil Haqqani, the Taliban’s minister for refugees and repatriation, in what has been described as the most significant attack against the Taliban’s leadership since they regained control in 2021. The blast, which took place inside the ministry, killed Haqqani alongside at least two others, with some sources reporting up to seven fatalities including Haqqani.
Haqqani was a prominent member of the Haqqani network, a faction within the Taliban known for its militant activities. He was previously designated by the United States as a “Specially Designated Global Terrorist” with a $5 million bounty on his head. The attack has not been immediately claimed, but the Taliban has pointed to Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) as the likely perpetrators, a group that has been a significant adversary in Afghanistan.
This incident underlines the ongoing security issues in Kabul, despite the Taliban’s efforts to consolidate power. It also potentially signals internal or external opposition to the Taliban’s governance amidst a backdrop of reduced but persistent violence since the withdrawal of foreign troops.