NSA says release of Taliban prisoners would be conditional

Afghanistan’s National Security Adviser Hamdullah Mohib said Saturday that the government would release 7,000 Taliban prisoners, demanded by the group as part of the Doha deal, only if the group significantly reduces violence.

Addressing a press conference, Mohib urged the Taliban not to demand the release of drug traffickers.

“When it comes to releasing of prisoners, the Taliban should prove that the people [to be freed] are not smugglers,” Mohib said.

Mohib’s statement comes just days after First Vice President Amrullah Saleh said at a public gathering in Parwan province that “no further release [of prisoners] is going to happen.”

“We have no prisoner release plans in place for the Taliban,” Saleh said.

Meanwhile, the National Directorate of Security Chief Ahmadzia Saraj said a grave gap has been created among the Taliban’s political and military leaders.

The Taliban have intensified clashes across the country as the foreign troops are getting ready to withdraw from Afghanistan.

The Defense Ministry, however, claimed that the group has been defeated on the battlefield.

“Thousands of Taliban militants have been killed in Arghandab clashes. The group is certainly defeated in Kandahar, they (Taliban) said that they are not capable of fighting against the Afghan forces,” Acting Defense Minister Yasin Zia said.