There are unconfirmed reports of violent infighting in the interim government of Afghanistan, with some speculating whether a couple of top Taliban leaders could have been killed. Firstly there were reports that the Taliban supreme leader, Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada, might have been killed since he has not been spotted in public after the ‘victory’. Then, there are similar rumors about his number two, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, who had been expected to lead the interim government but was named as first deputy prime minister. It would appear that the Taliban and the Pakistan-backed Haqqani Network that has got some key positions in the interim government have a trust deficit in sharing the spoils of the war.

The Taliban have denied that Mullah Baradar was killed in a shootout, Reuters reported. (https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/taliban-deny-their-deputy-prime-minister-mullah-baradar-is-dead-2021-09-14/) The man who heads the political office of the group and led all diplomatic parleys has himself issued a message that “it is lies” and “totally baseless”, according to a spokesperson. He reportedly withdrew to Kandahar, the group’s base. Even if the clarification is taken at face value, it does indicate all is not well at the top. Rumors earlier said Mullah Baradar had a violent showdown with Sirajuddin Haqqani, the interior minister and son of the dreaded Haqqani Network founder who is responsible for a series of bombings in Kabul (including on the Indian embassy). A BBC report quoted Taliban sources confirming a brawl between two sides at the presidential palace. (https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-58560923) Observers believe they could have differences over division of (a) credit for making the US troops withdraw and (b) power in the new dispensation. In that case, Mullah Baradar would like to prioritize diplomacy, and Haqqani would call for the militant path.

As for the Taliban supreme leader, he had apparently headed an internal meeting in Kandahar after the Fall of Kabul, and the group had issued a statement back then. But, again, he has not quelled speculations by appearing in public. Traditionally, the top leader remains behind the stage for security reasons, but that is not the case now. (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/14/questions-in-kabul-as-two-top-taliban-leaders-missing-from-public-view)

The top Al-Qaeda leader too, by the way, is subject of similar rumors.