Who was Neda Mohammad Nadeem? Taliban’s acting Higher Education Minister allegedly killed in Pakistani airstrikes

Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have intensified after Islamabad declared what it described as “open war” against the Afghan Taliban government. As cross-border strikes escalated, reports emerged that Neda Mohammad Nadeem, the Taliban’s acting Minister of Higher Education, was killed in Pakistani airstrikes.

According to OSINT Europe, Nadeem was among those killed during airstrikes targeting Taliban-linked headquarters in Kabul amid the ongoing border conflict. He was also the son-in-law of Taliban Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada.

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Who was Neda Mohammad Nadeem?

Born on November 17, 1978, Neda Mohammad Nadeem was an Afghan politician and a senior member of the Taliban. He served as the acting Minister of Higher Education from October 2022 until his death in February 2026.

Nadeem was reportedly killed on February 26, 2026, during Pakistani airstrikes conducted as part of Operation Ghazab-ul-Haq, marking a major escalation in the 2026 Pakistan–Afghanistan border conflict.

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Before taking charge of the higher education portfolio, Nadeem held key positions within the Taliban administration. He served as the Police Chief of Nangarhar province from September 2021 to October 2022. Earlier, he was appointed Governor of Nangarhar province in August 2021, a position he held until September 20, 2021, before being replaced by Daud Muzamil.

His reported death comes at a time of heightened hostilities between the two neighbouring countries, with both sides claiming heavy casualties following airstrikes and cross-border military action.