Afghan Taliban leader and Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani has reportedly made a startling statement about the presence and history of suicide bombers linked to the Taliban.
Speaking at a public event, Haqqani allegedly recalled establishing his first suicide bomber base in Waziristan, Pakistan, and identified Hayatullah Ghaznawi as the first person to register at the facility. According to the statement attributed to Haqqani, Ghaznawi is now seeking a senior position within the Afghan government.
The remarks, if accurately reported, could intensify concerns over the Taliban’s relationship with individuals associated with suicide attacks and militant activities. They also raise questions about the extent to which former militant operatives may have been incorporated into Afghanistan’s current governing structure.
Sirajuddin Haqqani is a senior Taliban leader and has served as Afghanistan’s Interior Minister since the Taliban returned to power in 2021. He is also the leader of the Haqqani Network, a militant organization with a long history of armed operations in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The reported comments are likely to attract significant attention in Pakistan, particularly amid longstanding concerns over militant sanctuaries and cross-border security threats.
However, the specific remarks attributed to Haqqani could not be independently verified through a reliable primary source in the available reporting. Therefore, the claims should be treated as allegations until the full video or an authoritative transcript is available.