Kandahar, Afghanistan – Several Afghan social media outlets are reportingthat an assassination attempt was made late last night on Taliban SupremeLeader Haibatullah Akhundzada in the southern city of Kandahar.According to unconfirmed reports circulating online, one of Akhundzada’sown bodyguards allegedly opened fire, injuring the Taliban Emir beforebeing shot dead by other guards on the scene.
The reports, which have not been independently verified, claim the incidenttook place inside a heavily guarded Taliban compound. Some sources suggestthe Taliban leadership has since imposed strict security measures inKandahar and restricted movement around key government and religious sites.
There has been no official statement from the Taliban’sspokesperson, ZabihullahMujahid, or any confirmation from state-run media regarding the allegedattack. The Taliban leadership traditionally keeps details aboutAkhundzada’s movements and whereabouts tightly controlled, contributing towidespread speculation about his health and security.
If confirmed, this would mark one of the most serious internal securitybreaches since the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021. Analysts notethat such an event—if true—could indicate growing factional tensionswithin the movement’s ranks.
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More updates will follow as the situation develops.