Tight security for Taliban minister’s funeral as Islamic State group claim deadly suicide attack

A Taliban government spokesman says tight security is in place for the funeral of a Cabinet member who was killed in a suicide bombing. Khalil Haqqani was the most high-profile casualty of an assault in Afghanistan since the Taliban took power three years ago. He died in a blast Wednesday at the Ministry for Refugees and Repatriation along with five others. Hamdullah Fitrat, the government’s deputy spokesman, said Thursday that top officials are attending the funeral in the country’s east and that security measures are in place. An affiliate of the Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the ministry attack.