RASC News Agency: The Taliban have declared their intent to construct a memorial monument in Kabul to honor Hayatullah, a young man they recognize as the group’s first suicide bomber. According to Taliban accounts, Hayatullah executed a suicide attack on January 27, 2004, driving a vehicle packed with explosives into a checkpoint manned by former Afghan government and U.S. forces in Paktia Province.
Khalid Zadran, spokesperson for the Taliban’s Kabul police command, confirmed that the monument will be built under the direct orders of Sirajuddin Haqqani, the Taliban’s Minister of Interior. He noted that Haqqani has instructed that a commemorative structure be erected at the exact site of Hayatullah’s attack, with construction expected to commence soon. The Taliban claim that this bombing marked the inception of their suicide operations against U.S. and Afghanistan forces, a strategy they would continue to employ for years.
The Haqqani Network, responsible for commissioning this memorial, is a known terrorist and suicide bombing faction within the Taliban, infamous for executing relentless attacks against civilians, officials, public spaces, and schools over the past two decades. During this period, the network’s operations have caused massive destruction, targeting educational centers, prominent individuals, and large public gatherings, leaving hundreds dead and wounded.
Reports further indicate that the network has also launched attacks on mosques as part of its campaign. According to Taliban sources, the suicide division within the Haqqani Network boasts over 2,000 members and includes an elite unit known as the “Suicide Battalion,” dedicated to carrying out high-profile missions under the Taliban’s command.
