Khalil ur Rahman Haqqani, a senior member of the Taliban’s powerful Haqqani Network, was killed in an explosion in Afghanistan’s capital on Wednesday, government officials said. The blast is the highest-profile killing since the Taliban took power in 2021 and marks a strike at the group’s heart.
The death comes amid internal tensions within the Taliban, with the group facing criticism from pragmatist members who argue for less archaic policies. The Haqqani Network, led by Sirajuddin Haqqani, has been trying to reach out to the West in search of recognition.
ISIS-K, an affiliate blamed for the blast, is one of the few groups opposing the Taliban’s rule. However, the group’s actions have also sparked controversy due to its brutal attacks and retribution strikes outside Afghanistan.
The killing of Haqqani marks a brazen act against the Taliban government, which promised security and peace after taking power. The incident could further fuel internal divisions within the group.
Haqqani was a war hero twice over and brother of the Taliban’s founder, Jalaluddin Haqqani. Despite his influential position, he was not at the center of the family’s power structure like his nephew Sirajuddin.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/11/world/asia/afghanistan-explosion-taliban-minister.html