Afghanistan's acting Minister of Refugees and Repatriation, Khalil-ur-Rehman Haqqani, was killed on Wednesday in an explosion at his ministry building in central Kabul, an official confirmed to Anadolu.

The attack marks the first assassination of a sitting minister since the Taliban's return to power in August 2021.

The Taliban's chief spokesperson, Zabihullah Mujahid, confirmed Haqqani's death but provided no details about the nature of the explosion or the number of casualties.

A statement from Kabul police described the attack as a "barbaric act" carried out by "Kharijites," a term the Taliban often uses to refer to enemies.

Initial reports suggest additional casualties, with several injured individuals transported to local hospitals.

#Update
Photo of the attacker on Afghan Minister of Refugees Khalil Ur Rehman Haqqani in Kabul. pic.twitter.com/kn1WDnTlkR

— نقطةNUQTA (@NUQTA31) December 11, 2024

Haqqani, 58, was a prominent Taliban leader and brother of the late Jalaluddin Haqqani, founder of the Haqqani network, which played a significant role in the Taliban's war against US-led forces.

He was also the uncle of Sirajuddin Haqqani, the acting Interior Minister.

Read more: Russia intends to remove the Taliban from blacklist: Shoigu

Haqqani oversaw many matters related to the management and support of refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and returnees. In July, he participated in diplomatic engagements, including the handover of 100 million RMB (~$14 million) in emergency humanitarian aid from China to Afghanistan, reflecting his role in fostering international cooperation for refugee and humanitarian assistance.

I attended the handover ceremony of the first batch of 100 million RMB emergency humanitarian supplies donated by China to Afghanistan together with H.E. Haji Khalil-ur-Rehman Haqqani, Acting Minister of Refugees and Repatriation. pic.twitter.com/v7REutsjjj

— ZhaoXing 赵星 (@ChinaEmbKabul) July 17, 2024

Pakistan expressed its condolences, with Deputy Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar calling the attack shocking and reaffirming Pakistan's condemnation of terrorism.

"We are deeply shocked at the death of Acting Afghan Minister, Khalil ur Rehman Haqqani and loss of precious lives as a result of a terrorist attack in the Afghan Refugee Ministry in Kabul today. We offer our heartfelt condolences. Pakistan unequivocally condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. We are in touch with the Interim Afghan Government to ascertain further details," he wrote on X.