Afghan family confirms release of Taliban leader by Pakistan
Mujahid, the eldest son of late Afghan resistance leader Maulvi Yunus Khalis was released late Thursday, a close relative told AFP on condition of anonymity.
Security officials in Pakistan said on Wednesday authorities would release at least seven Afghan Taliban leaders in a move seen as a potential breakthrough in stalled peace negotiations before the withdrawal of US-led Nato troops in 2014.
It is not clear if Mujahid was among that group. But he is the first Taliban prisoner recently released by the Pakistan to be identified by name.
"He was with us last night, he has rejoined his family members and his health is good," he said. Another family member also confirmed.
Mujahid, who is in his 40s, had formed his Tora Bora Mahaz (front) whose fighters are allied with Afghan Taliban.
Mujahid, who hails from the eastern Nangarhar province, named his group after Tora Bora valley which was bombed by the US air force in December 2001 in its pursuit of Osama bin Laden and other al Qaeda fighters.
According to Afghan expert Rahimullah Yusufzai he had aligned his group with Taliban movement. He was arrested from northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in 2009.
COMMENTS (23)
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@Asad: :...Indian trolls and so called liberals are so quiet now a days. Please come and appreciate..."
"...kinldy enlighten them and save us from your blabbering..."
Calm down and take a deep breath.
Pakistan deliberately detained these so called Taliban leaders because they wanted to negotiate with Afghan leaders without the coercion and influence of Pakistan. Abdul Salam Zaeef is a living testament to the treachery of Pakistan vis-a-vis Afghan Taliban and this lesson is not lost on the Taliban.
The Afghan government and the US will only entertain negotiations with pragmatic Taliban leaders that demonstrate political autonomy and are not speaking in his master's voice (HMV).
@Jat: What are you doing wasting your time on this site pentagon and state department policy makers are waiting for your valuable input kinldy enlighten them and save us from your blabbering.
@Jat: Your monkeying around is highly amusing carry on.
@Jat: Poor troll so much obsession with Pakistan carry on. Your government is giving aid to afghanistan who is supporting this release amusing as usual.
@Abdul
"I would like to see a day where I can have an early breakfast in Kabul, lunch in Lahore and dinner in Delhi."
Amen to that sentiment. I actually had the good fortune of doing that back in the days when Afghanistan was not a proxy battle ground and militants did not roam around Pakistan wreaking havoc. I dream of that day when economic integration of South and Central Asia takes precedence over petty nationalist agendas that has kept this region in turmoil for 30 years.
@Atif: "...A man can die within minutes. Second the decision was not made by Pakistan alone..."
For all your gangsta style entry; you are not very bright are you ? The decision was not made by Pakistan alone, but you dumb-heads Pakistan alone will have to deal with these murderous groups. Read the first comment again.
Just as anarchy in Afghanistan is toxic for Pakistan, in the same way anarchy in Pakistan is going to hurt us Indians.
@Jat
You are on the Pakistani newspaper so please dont be arrogant about Pakistan. I understand Kamran didn't use the correct words. But there is no guarantee that you will be here either. A man can die within minutes. Second the decision was not made by Pakistan alone.
I dont understand why people mix-up the Afghan Taliban with TTP. you can call yourself taliban if you like.
@IceSoul: "I don’t know everything has to turn into a conservative vs liberal debate?"
Deliberate obfuscation on their part. Simple thing is Al Qaeda and Taliban are bad, their ideology is regressive, oppressive, poisonous and will take Pakistan back to the dark ages. And as can be seen from the events that happen daily, this backward slide has already begun.
@Kamran: "I dont run but perhaps wouldnt be here in 3 years – i got to progress in life"
Typical Pakistani reaction in face of any challenge, "won't run, but won't be here". Are we planning to settle on Mars ? Oh about progress, will you progress the same way as your country ? Follow the same progressive route to progress ? Good luck ! As you will need loads of it.
One more thing - where did this "strategic thinker", "self claimed intellectual", come from ? Plain old common sense man; try using it some day.
I don't know everything has to turn into a conservative vs liberal debate? Please enlighten me as to what you "conservatives" want. Surrender? Because the TTP has refuses to negotiate with Pakistan and has broken a number of peace accords already. How do you aim to negotiate with them if they are unintersted in talking to you.
The US talking to the Taliban is irrelevant since Afghanistan does not belong to the US. The Americans will just pack up and leave whereas we Pakisanis will either have to fight or offer an conditional surrender.
@Jat: Taliban/Durand Line You may well be correct, but what is the alternative. I am a little older than most people, but hope to hear from you in three years?
Oh ! Save them ..........some people have brains on their knees
As an Afghan I see this as a step in the right direction. I hope steps like this continue and that we see peace in this part of the world. People in this part of the world have so much in common, I would like to see a day where I can have an early breakfast in Kabul, lunch in Lahore and dinner in Delhi.
Peace
Abdul
@Kabul
@jat
So even in three years time this is all u gna be doing i.e be a keyboard warrior and a self claimed intellectual!! Not planning to progress at all are u? Typical pathetic stubborness at its best! face palm
Ps: I dont run but perhaps wouldnt be here in 3 years - i got to progress in life not be a petty old man like you!
so fake liberals this must be also imran khan's fault right..
@kamran: "@ Jat If only you were a strategic thinker .. you’d probably wouldn’t be JUST a keyboard warrier!! Acting like you know a lot and are some kinda intellectual who knows the real game behind thew scenes.."
Hahaha note down today's date and my comment. We will have this discussion exactly 3 years from now. Don't run away, I will be here.
@Asad: Look at the first comment. What do they call those, who have eyes but can't see, who have brains but can't think ?
Americans and Afghanistan are applauding the release of Talibans. Indian trolls and so called liberals are so quiet now a days. Please come and appreciate your americans allies facilitating the release of these talibans.
@ Jat
If only you were a strategic thinker .. you'd probably wouldn't be JUST a keyboard warrier!! Acting like you know a lot and are some kinda intellectual who knows the real game behind thew scenes.. petty people like you really need to get a life!
Stop them they will attack u back...they are gathering them to fight against Pakistan
Silly move by Pakistan. The Americans will leave the region in 2014 and then Pakistanis will have to fend off Taliban on both sides of the Durand Line all alone.