Kandahar, 21 November 2025 (Agencies): On November 10, 2025, an attempted assassination targeted Haibatullah Akhundzada, leader of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, at the Kandahar Central Jihadi Madrasa, the administrative hub overseeing all 34 provincial madrasa networks. The incident has exposed deep internal fissures within the Taliban hierarchy and raised questions about the Emir’s security apparatus.
The attacker, Lieutenant Hafiz Siddiqullah, son of Maulvi Abdul Nabi from Musa Qala district in Helmand, was serving under the Taliban Ministry of Defense’s Counter-Intelligence Directorate. Assigned to the madrasa in 2024 after a transfer from Camp Shorabak, Siddiqullah had routine access to Haibatullah, enabling him to stage the attack from within. At 1713 local time, he struck the Emir with a knife, inflicting a superficial wound to his right hand before being subdued by the Omari Lashkar, Haibatullah’s elite protective force. He remains alive and under interrogation in Kandahar.
Haibatullah’s protection is managed by the Omari Lashkar, a force of nearly 60,000 fighters divided into three layers. The Immediate Protection Unit of 1,000 fighters led by Mullah Abdullah Jan Akhundzada is responsible for personal security and safeguarding family and advisers. The Regional Security Unit commanded by Mullah Mohammad Wali Shah Agha secures southern provinces and monitors influential commanders and scholars. The Operational Security and Intelligence Unit led by Mullah Abdulsalam Ayoub Agha oversees border control, smuggling routes, and intelligence coordination. Despite this layered system, Siddiqullah exploited his official placement to bypass safeguards, striking Haibatullah in what was considered his safest environment.
Taliban officials dismissed claims that Siddiqullah was a bodyguard or linked to the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) or foreign intelligence services. Analysts, however, point to his ties with the MoD-linked 215 Azam Army Corps, a Kabul-aligned faction, suggesting the attack may have been influenced by the Haqqani Network and allied ministers in Kabul. The incident reflects the growing Kandahar–Kabul rivalry, with disputes over appointments, revenue distribution, and territorial authority undermining Haibatullah’s leadership. The timing is significant, coming just a month after TTP leader Mufti Noor Wali Mehsud survived an assassination attempt in Kabul, fueling speculation of factional infighting. While Haibatullah was not involved in that incident, the back-to-back attacks highlight instability within Taliban-aligned networks.
Publicly, the Taliban has downplayed the incident to preserve an image of unity. Privately, however, the attack is seen as a failed coup attempt or an effort to destabilize Haibatullah’s authority from within. Targeting him inside Kandahar—the symbolic heart of Taliban power—demonstrates both the attacker’s insider knowledge and the seriousness of factional tensions. The episode underscores that Haibatullah’s authority rests not only on military strength but also on the loyalty of his inner circle. It reveals vulnerabilities in the Taliban’s protective networks and raises questions about whether the Emir can maintain control amid growing internal rivalries.
The assassination attempt represents the gravest internal challenge to Haibatullah Akhundzada since he assumed power in 2021. While the Emir survived with minor injuries, the incident has shaken confidence in the Taliban’s cohesion and highlighted the fragility of its leadership structure. Analysts warn that continued factional disputes could erode the group’s ability to govern, with implications for Afghanistan’s stability and regional security.