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Afghanistan’s refugee minister Khalil Haqqani killed in Kabul explosion

Khalil Haqqani attends a ceremony in Kabul in 2022. (Reuters: Ali Khara)

In short:

Afghanistan's acting refugee minister Khalil Haqqani was among seven people killed by a suicide bombing in Kabul, Taliban officials say. 

Haqqani is the most high-profile casualty of a bombing in Afghanistan since the Taliban returned to power.

What's next?

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the blast, however a Taliban spokesperson blamed the Islamic State militant group for the attack.

Afghanistan's acting refugee minister and six other people have been killed by a suicide bombing in Kabul, according to Taliban officials.

The explosion struck inside the ministry in the Afghan capital on Wednesday, killing Khalil Haqqani, the Interior Ministry officials said.

He is the most high-profile casualty of a bombing in Afghanistan since the Taliban returned to power three years ago.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the blast, however a Taliban spokesperson blamed the Islamic State militant group for the attack.

Haqqani was a senior leader of the Haqqani network, a powerful militant faction within the Taliban blamed for carrying out major attacks across Afghanistan during the group's recent 20-year insurgency, according to the US State Department.

His nephew, Sirajuddin Haqqani, now leads the network and serves as the Taliban's acting interior minister.

Taliban bans Afghan women from hearing each other

Photo shows A woman stares confidently at the camera with a marking of five strikes on her forehead symbolising an end to child marriage.

Afghanistan's refugee minister Khalil Haqqani killed in Kabul explosion

The Taliban has extended restrictions on Afghan women's voices by banning them from praying aloud or reciting the Koran in front of other women.

Another of his nephews, Anas Haqqani, said Afghanistan had "lost a very brave Mujahid", using the Taliban's term for its fighters meaning holy warrior. 

"We will never forget him and his sacrifice," he said.

Pakistan's foreign minister Ishaq Dar said he was "shocked" by the attack.

"Pakistan unequivocally condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations," he said.

Violence has waned in Afghanistan since the Taliban took over the country in 2021, ending their war against the United States and NATO-led foreign forces.

However, the regional chapter of the Islamic State group, known as Islamic State Khorasan, is active in the country and has regularly targeted civilians, foreigners and Taliban officials with gun and bomb attacks.

ABC/Wires

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