Afghan Refugee Minister Khalil Ur-Rahman Haqqani has been killed in a suicide bombing at the ministry’s office in the capital Kabul, his nephew Anas Haqqani said.
In addition to the minister, two other people were killed. The explosive device was detonated by a suicide bomber.
Taliban government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid called Haqqani’s death a “great loss” and described him as a “tireless holy fighter who spent his life defending Islam.”
The Islamic State terrorist organisation has claimed responsibility for the minister’s murder. Local media noted that this is the first such attack against a senior Taliban government official since the movement came to power three years ago.
In August 2021, the Taliban seized almost all of Afghanistan, including major cities, with little resistance.
