“However, we have noted that Taliban spokesperson has denied that any such firefight took place”, Khalilullah told weekly briefing on Thursday. The shootout also threatens to derail a renewed regional push to jump-start peace talks with the Taliban.
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Pressure mounted on the Taliban to offer proof of life for their supremo after unconfirmed media reports on Friday claimed that he had died.
However, scepticism has been fueled by the secrecy that surrounded the death of Taliban founder Mullah Mohammad Omar, which was only confirmed in July, two years after he had died.
The militants’ chief spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, dismissed reports by government officials and rival groups that Mansour had been shot in a gunfight that broke out between rival insurgent factions during peace talks this week.
Afghan Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah said on Twitter on Thursday that Mansour had been wounded in a firefight near Quetta, but there has been no direct evidence to confirm what happened.
Taliban militants captured northern Kunduz city for three days in September in a stinging blow to Afghan forces, who have largely been fighting on their own since the end of Nato’s combat mission last December.
Local officials said army mortar shells fell near a mosque, killing eight civilians and wounding two others, while the Taliban said 10 people gathered around a fire in front of the mosque were killed and eight wounded in the attack. An official Taliban spokesman, however, denied that the incident took place.
AFP could not verify the authenticity of the file, which raised the question as to why the Taliban chose to not release an audio clip from Mansour himself to bolster their claim.
The militant movement, which saw its first formal split last month, has appeared anxious to quell speculation about Mansour’s fate.
But splits immediately emerged in the group, with some top leaders refusing to pledge allegiance to him, saying the process to select him was rushed and even biased.
Mr. Sinha said the recent attack on Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour in Quetta had shown that rivalry is intense inside Taliban, but Pakistan seems to be negotiating with only one faction.
Many were also unhappy that Omar’s death had been kept secret for two years – during which time annual Eid statements were issued in his name.
Taliban and Pakistani Forces standoff in Swat Valley, Pakistan.
The divisions in Taliban ranks pose a major challenge to peace talks with the government.
But the dialogue process stalled soon after Omar’s death was announced.
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Sinha’s statement came following “misreporting” regarding his statement on a meeting between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in Paris this week.
