Afghan Taliban leaders killed in Pakistan while seeking peace talks

KABUL: (MEP) – The Afghan intelligence – National Directorate of Security (NDS) chief, Rahmatullah Nabeel has said that nearly 12 Afghan Taliban commanders have been killed in Quetta city of Pakistan.

Mr. Nabeel further added that the Taliban commanders were assassinated by unknown gunmen, while they were looking to establish peace talks with the Afghan government.

“Around a dozen Taliban members of varying ranks were killed in Quetta in last year’s winter,” Rahmatullah Nabeel quoted by Reuters said.

Nabeel further added that investigation reports suggest that the victims had all sought unauthorized peace talks.

“All 12 had been speaking to the president’s negotiators, either directly or through provincial governors or tribal elders,” he said.

In the meantime, an Afghan official blamed the killings on Pakistani officials, saying they feared losing influence over commanders who started peace talks.

“Pakistan thinks if we’re making progress with these (Taliban leaders), that might break their hold on them,” the official speaking on the condition of anonymity told Reuters.

However, Pakistani official deny the allegations and said they have no idea who is behind the killings.

Meanwhile, the Taliban group denied the reports and called the assassination of Taliban group leaders in Pakistan a baseless propaganda.

But, a number of the Taliban group leaders have confirmed to Reuters last week that the insurgency had killed some of its own commanders because the men were involved in unauthorized talks.