KABUL - Afghanistan’s supreme leader Haibatullah Akhunzada appeared for only the second time since taking control of the Taliban in 2016 to tell worshippers celebrating Eid al-Fitr that the Taliban had achieved freedom and security since seizing power last year. Flanked by security, Akhunzada spoke days after a powerful explosion ripped through a mosque in Kabul, killing more than 50 worshippers after Friday prayers – the latest of a series of attacks on civilian targets in Afghanistan during Ramadan. “Congratulations on victory, freedom and success,” Akhunzada told thousands of worshippers on Saturday at the Eidgah mosque in the southern city of Kandahar, the group’s de facto power centre. “Congratulations on this security and for the Islamic system.” Akhunzada delivered his brief address from one of the front rows of worshippers in Kandahar without turning to face the crowd, according to social media posts. Taliban officials did not allow journalists to approach him. Two helicopters hovered over the mosque for the two-hour event.