Tight Security Ahead of Afghan Minister’s Funeral After Suicide Bombing

Tight security measures have been implemented in preparation for the funeral of an Afghan minister killed in a suicide bombing.

The attack marked the death of Khalil al-Rahman Haqqani, the most prominent official killed in a violent act since the Taliban took power three years ago.

Haqqani was killed on Wednesday in an explosion at the Ministry of Refugees in the capital, Kabul, along with several other victims. Officials have not yet disclosed an updated death toll.

Khalil Haqqani was the uncle of the acting Afghan Interior Minister, Sirajuddin Haqqani, who leads a powerful faction within the Taliban. The U.S. has previously announced a reward for information leading to their capture.

According to a statement from ISIS-affiliated Amaq News Agency, one of their fighters carried out the suicide bombing. The attacker reportedly waited for Haqqani to leave his office before detonating the explosive device.

The minister’s funeral is set to take place Thursday afternoon in Gardez District, Paktia Province, the Haqqani family’s stronghold in eastern Afghanistan.

The United Nations Mission in Afghanistan was among those condemning the attack on the ministry.

It stated on platform X (formerly Twitter): “There is no place for terrorism in the pursuit of stability.” Meanwhile, the ministry’s account on X noted that training workshops had been held at the site in recent days.

The ministry sees daily visits from large numbers of internally displaced persons seeking assistance or resettlement opportunities. Afghanistan is home to over 3 million people displaced by war.