Russia condemns Kabul terror attack, vows support for Afghanistan in fight against ISIS

Russia has expressed its strong condemnation of the terrorist attack in Kabul that resulted in the death of Taliban refugee minister Khalil Haqqani.

Moscow has vowed to assist Afghanistan in its ongoing battle against terrorism, says a statement by Russian Foreign Ministry, Caliber.Az reports per Russian media.

The Foreign Ministry confirmed that Russia stands in solidarity with Afghanistan's efforts to counter terrorism. The ministry emphasized that the recent surge in ISIS (formerly known as Islamic State) subversive activities in Afghanistan is a reaction to the measures taken by the Afghan government against the group.

"The upsurge in subversive activities of ISIS is a response to the forceful measures taken against it by the Afghan government. Russia is in solidarity with the counter-terrorism efforts of the Afghan people and intends to provide them with the necessary assistance," the statement read.

The Russian Foreign Ministry also expressed deep concern and sympathy over the tragic loss of Haqqani and pointed out that the Wilayat Khorasan group, an affiliate of ISIS, claimed responsibility for the suicide attack. Russia called for the identification and punishment of those responsible for the attack.

"Russia expects that those involved in this crime will be identified and held accountable," the statement concluded.

Taliban refugee minister Khalil Haqqani was killed in a suicide bombing inside his ministry in Kabul, the movement's most high profile casualty since it returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021.

Six others died in the blast as Haqqani was leaving his office, interior ministry sources said.

Khalil Haqqani was a top member of a powerful faction in the Taliban called the Haqqani network, and was designated a global terrorist by the US.

By Vafa Guliyeva