Taliban Refugee Minister Khalil Ur-Rahman Haqqani, 6 others killed in Kabul explosion

A suicide bombing in Afghanistan’s capital Kabul on Dec 11 killed Taliban Refugee Minister Khalil Ur-Rahman Haqqani and six others.

The Taliban spokesperson said in a statement that Haqqani had been killed by the banned Islamic State (IS) militant group.

“We lost a very brave mujahid,” his nephew, Anas Haqqani was quoted as saying by the news agency Reuters.

“We will never forget him and his sacrifice,” he added.

“Unfortunately an explosion happened at the Ministry of Refugees and minister Khalil Rahman Haqqani has been martyred along with some of his colleagues,” a government source was quoted as saying.

Islamic State Khorasan (ISIS-K) has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Haqqani (58) was the uncle of Afghan Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani and a major fundraiser for the Taliban.

He was playing a crucial role in Afghanistan’s interim government as the acting minister for refugees, according to media reports.

Khalil was a senior leader of the Haqqani network and instrumental in orchestrating major attacks throughout the 20-year conflict in Afghanistan, sources were quoted as saying.

Haqqani’s death is seen as a substantial blow to the Taliban because he was a key figure in maintaining relationships with foreign donors and was responsible for fundraising activities on behalf of the Taliban and the Haqqani network.

Deputy Prime Minister Pakistan and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar extended his condolences on the death and the loss of lives in the attack.

“Pakistan unequivocally condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. We are in touch with the Interim Afghan Government to ascertain further details.” Dar wrote on X.

The United States Treasury designated Khalil Haqqani as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist in 2011, offering a $5 million reward for information leading to his arrest.

ISIS-K has been active in Afghanistan and regularly targets both Taliban regime officials and civilians.

According to top intelligence sources, one possible reason behind the attack is the rivalry between ISIS-K and the Taliban connected to the takeover of Afghanistan.

“Khalil Haqqani was playing an important role in the Taliban government as a fundraiser and through his proximity to Siraj. This may destabilize the whole equation," a source was quoted as saying.

“ISIS-K desires to create chaos once again, as they have done immediately after the takeover."

Another possibility, which is subject to verification, according to sources, is that the Kandhari group of the Taliban could be involved in the attack

There have been major tensions between the Haqqanis and Kandharis in recent times, sources were quoted as saying.