Taliban minister, part of powerful Haqqani family, killed in Kabul bombing

Khalil Rahman Haqqani, a senior member of the influential Haqqani Network and the uncle of Taliban's Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani, had been managing Afghanistan's refugee crisis.

In Short

• Khalil Rehnman Haqqani killed in Kabul mosque bombing
• Incident follows Sirajuddin Haqqani's critique of supreme leader
• Khalil was on UN Sanctions List with USD 5 million bounty.

Khalil Rahman Haqqani, the Taliban’s acting Minister for Refugees and Repatriation, was killed in a bombing inside a mosque in Kabul on Wednesday, his nephew said. Haqqani, a senior member of the influential Haqqani Network and the uncle of the Taliban’s Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani, had been managing Afghanistan’s refugee crisis.

The Taliban spokesperson held the Islamic State militant group responsible for Haqqani's killing. "We lost a very brave Mujahid," his nephew Anas Haqqani told news agency Reuters. "We will never forget him and his sacrifice."

A powerful explosion tore through the mosque premises, claiming Haqqani’s life along with six others. According to Haqqani's nephew, the blast took place as Khalil Haqqani was leaving a mosque after afternoon prayers.

This assassination has heightened concerns over growing internal tensions within the Taliban’s ranks.

RISING INTERNAL FRICTIONS

The killing occurred just three days after Sirajuddin Haqqani openly criticised the leadership style of the Taliban’s Supreme Leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada. At a recent public gathering, Sirajuddin remarked, “You should not think that just because I am in power, everyone must accept my words, and if someone doesn’t, the sky will fall to the ground,” indirectly addressing issues with Hibatullah’s governance.

Khalil Haqqani, previously listed on the United Nations Sanctions List, carried a USD 5 million bounty from the United States due to his alleged involvement in terrorist activities. Following the Taliban’s 2021 takeover of Afghanistan, he was tasked with overseeing Kabul's security before assuming his ministerial duties.

POWER STRUGGLES WITHIN TALIBAN

The Haqqani Network, under Sirajuddin Haqqani’s leadership, has wielded significant influence within the Taliban’s hierarchy. However, friction between the Haqqani faction and Kandahari leaders loyal to Hibatullah Akhundzada has been simmering. Analysts suggest Khalil Haqqani’s assassination may signal intensifying hostilities within the group.

An expert observed, “This appears to be a warning shot from Hibatullah to Sirajuddin Haqqani and the Kabul faction, signalling that dissent will not be tolerated.”

GLOBAL AND POLITICAL REPERCUSSIONS

Khalil Haqqani’s killing marks a pivotal development in the Taliban’s internal power struggle. With Afghanistan’s political stability already fragile under Taliban rule, this incident is expected to exacerbate divisions within the regime.