ISLAMABAD (AP) — A suicide bombing within the Afghan capital on Wednesday killed the Taliban refugee minister and two others, officers stated, in probably the most brazen assault on a member of the Taliban interior circle since they returned to energy 3 years in the past. The explosion struck within the ministry, killing Khalil Haqqani, officers stated. His remaining legitimate photograph confirmed him at a gathering chaired via the deputy high minister, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, previous Wednesday. Khalil Haqqani is the uncle of Sirajuddin Haqqani, the performing inner minister who leads an impressive community throughout the Taliban. Haqqani used to be probably the most high-profile casualty of a bombing in Afghanistan for the reason that Taliban returned to energy and the primary Cupboard member to be killed for the reason that takeover. There used to be no speedy declare of duty for the blast. The federal government’s leader spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, stated in a publish on X that Haqqani’s dying used to be a super loss and described him as a tireless holy warrior who spent his existence protecting Islam.
Haqqani’s killing could also be the most important blow to the Taliban since their go back to energy given his stature and affect, in step with Michael Kugelman, director of the Wilson Heart’s South Asia Institute. It additionally comes at a time when the Taliban have staked their legitimacy on restoring peace after a long time of battle, he added.
“The killing of a best Haqqani chief inside of certainly one of its personal ministries undercuts that core narrative,” he stated.
Former President Hamid Karzai and Haqqani’s nephew, Anas, additionally paid tribute to the minister. Taliban safety group of workers blocked the street resulting in the blast website online and barred filming and images. Pakistan’s International Minister Ishaq Dar condemned the killing as a “terrorist assault.” “Pakistan unequivocally condemns terrorism in all its bureaucracy and manifestations,” Dar stated, including his executive used to be in contact with Kabul to get additional main points.
The Islamic State staff’s associate, a big rival of the ruling Taliban, has performed earlier assaults throughout Afghanistan.In early September, certainly one of its suicide bombers in a southwestern Kabul community killed a minimum of six other people, wounding 13 others. However suicide assaults have transform more and more uncommon for the reason that Taliban seized energy in August 2021 and U.S. and NATO forces withdrew. Such assaults have most commonly centered minority Shiite Muslims, particularly within the capital.Ibraheem Bahiss, an analyst with Disaster Workforce’s South Asia program, stated the timing of the attack used to be attention-grabbing because it got here days after Sirajuddin Haqqani gave a speech showing to criticize the Taliban chief for his authoritarian decision-making and loss of consensus construction, particularly round extra debatable edicts on girls and women.Whilst the timing may gas hypothesis that the suicide bombing used to be an inside of process, Bahiss stated he didn’t be expecting a civil battle some of the Taliban.“They don’t wish to break their cling on energy. They’re probably the most unified political drive in Afghanistan and feature been ready to regulate their variations.”Bahiss stated he expected an outpouring of sympathy and toughen for Sirajuddin Haqqani and that this would provide a chance to give a boost to the Haqqani community additional.
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