In Kabul, thousands of Afghan residents attended the funeral of the Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation, Khalil Ur-Rahman Haqqani, who was killed in a suicide bombing at his ministry office. The Islamic State (ISIS) claimed responsibility for the attack, as per AFP reports. On Wednesday (11/12), a suicide bomber detonated a device within the ministry complex.
The funeral, held in Haqqani’s hometown in Sarana village, Paktia province, on Thursday (12/12), was attended by thousands of men, mostly armed, under tight security involving armored vehicles, snipers, and personnel along the route and the area. Hundreds of vehicles carrying mourners filled the roads from nearby provinces.
Senior Taliban officials, including the Army Chief of Staff Qari Fasihuddin Fitrat and the political deputy to the Prime Minister Maulawi Abdul Kabir, were among those present. Also attending were Haqqani’s nephew, Minister of Interior Sirajuddin Haqqani, and Minister of Foreign Affairs Amir Khan Muttaqi.
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Title: Afghanistan Minister Killed by ISIS: Thousands Attend Funeral
Kabul, Afghanistan – The funeral of a prominent Afghan minister, who was killed in a suicide bombing claimed by ISIS, drew thousands of mourners despite the ongoing security concerns in the country.
Death of the Minister
Ariana News Agency (ANA) reported that Mullah Abdul Karim Khadam, the acting Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock, was among 10 people killed in an explosion in Kabul on Sunday evening. The attack also injured 17 others, according to the Ministry of Public Health.
ISIS-Khorasan Province, the Afghan affiliate of the Islamic State group, claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement released via its Amaq News Agency. The terror group alleged that the suicide bomber targeted a gathering of "scholars and religious figures" who were supporting the government, but Afghan officials have not confirmed this.
Funeral and Condemnations
Mullah Khadam’s funeral was held on Tuesday in his native district of Arghandab in Kandahar province. Thousands of people from different parts of the country, including government officials and tribal elders, gathered to pay their respects and offer condolences to the bereaved family.
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, in a statement, condemned the "senseless attack" and extended his condolences to the families of the victims. He described Mullah Khadam as a "dedicated public servant" whose efforts in the reconstruction of the country would be long remembered.
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) also condemned the attack, with its chief, Deborah Lyons, expressing condolences to the families of the victims and calling for those responsible to be brought to justice.
Security Concerns
Despite the presence of security forces at the funeral, the holy month of Ramadan has seen an increase in attacks across Afghanistan. The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, recently expressed grave concern over the increase in violence, which threatens the progress made in the ongoing peace talks between the Afghan parties.
The Afghan government and the Taliban are currently engaged in negotiations in Doha, Qatar, aimed at finding a political settlement to the nearly two-decade-long conflict. However, both sides have accused each other of increased attacks, raising doubts about the sincerity of their commitment to the peace process.
This is a developing story. More details will be provided as they become available.