Sirajuddin Haqqani, the Taliban’s Interior Minister, has gone into hiding over fears of assassination, according to Ahmad Zia Saraj, former head of Afghanistan’s National Directorate of Security (NDS).
Saraj told Afghanistan International that Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada suspects Haqqani and several officials of plotting a coup. He believes foreign countries may have backed the alleged plot.
To counter the threat, Akhundzada has stripped Haqqani of his powers and transferred his authority to Deputy Interior Minister Ibrahim Sadr. Similarly, Mullah Yaqub, the Defence Minister, has been sidelined. His powers were handed to Qayyum Zakir, a close ally of Akhundzada.
Saraj said Akhundzada has placed his loyalists in key institutions in Kabul. He also imposed foreign travel restrictions on Taliban officials, allowing trips only with his approval.
According to Saraj, Haqqani fled from Saudi Arabia to Khost and then Pakistan. He is now moving between North Waziristan and Khost.
In another move, Akhundzada dismissed Khost’s police chief, the brother of Haqqani’s deputy, Nabi Omari. Saraj claims Haqqani sees this as a direct threat and no longer feels safe.
Sources told Afghanistan International that Akhundzada has deployed special forces from Kandahar to Kabul. A Taliban unit is now stationed at Kabul airport.
Tensions within the Taliban have escalated due to international pressure on Akhundzada’s policies. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has requested an arrest warrant for Akhundzada and Chief Justice Abdul Hakim Haqqani.
Some Taliban officials, including Abbas Stanekzai, have warned that Akhundzada’s hardline stance is blocking international recognition. Frustrated Taliban figures have considered leadership changes, but Akhundzada has further consolidated power and sidelined internal rivals.
