Ishaq Dar, expressed sorrow over the death of Acting Afghan Minister Khalil ur Rehman Haqqani
Foreign Desk
KABUL: The Afghan Taliban’s acting minister for refugees, Khalil Rahman Haqqani, has been killed in a blast in the country’s capital Kabul, his nephew Anas Haqqani said on Wednesday.
Khalil Haqqani became a minister in the Taliban’s interim government after foreign forces withdrew from Afghanistan in 2021. He was a senior leader of the Haqqani network, a group blamed for major attacks during the 20-year war, according to the US State Department.
Khalil was the brother of Jalaluddin Haqqani, who founded the feared Haqqani network. The deceased minister was also the uncle of Sirajuddin Haqqani, the current interior minister of Afghanistan.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Ishaq Dar, expressed profound shock and sorrow over the death of Acting Afghan Minister Khalil ur Rehman Haqqani and the tragic loss of lives in a terrorist attack targeting the Afghan Refugee Ministry in Kabul earlier today.
In an official statement, Ishaq Dar extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and reiterated Pakistan’s firm stance against terrorism. “Pakistan unequivocally condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations,” he said.
The minister added that Pakistan is in close communication with the Interim Afghan Government to gather further details about the incident. The tragic event highlights the ongoing challenges of ensuring peace and stability in the region.
The Haqqanis are said to be engaged in a struggle for influence within the Taliban authorities. According to press reports, they are pitted as a pragmatic faction up against supporters of the severe interpretation of Islamic law in line with the Taliban´s supreme leader based in Kandahar.
Several senior Taliban leaders have been killed since their return to power, including provincial governors, commanders and religious clerics, mostly in attacks claimed by Daesh.
Violence has waned in Afghanistan since the Taliban forces took over the country in 2021, ending their war against the United States and Nato-led foreign forces.
“We lost a very brave Mujahid,” Anas Haqqani told Reuters, using the Taliban’s term for its fighters, meaning a holy warrior. “We will never forget him and his sacrifice.”
It was not immediately clear who was behind the blast.
