The Taliban have induced five members of their leadership council into their negotiating team ahead of intra-Afghan talks, a source close to the group told 1TV Saturday.
They include Abdul Hakim Ishaqzai, Abdul Kabir, Noor Mohammad Saqib, Qasim Turkman and Mullah Shirin.
Members of negotiating team include: Mulla Abdul Ghani Baradar, Mawlavi Noor Jalal, Mawlavi Abdul Ghafar Badakhshi, Sheikh Abdul Hakeem, Sheikh Noor Muhammad Saqib, Maulvi Abdul Kabeer, Mullah Shireen Noorzai, Sheikh Mohammad Qasim Turkman, Sher Abbas Stanekzai, Qari Deen Muhammad, Maulvi Abdul Salam Hanafi, Muhammad Zahid Ahmadzai, Maulvi Abdul Latif Mansoor, Mullah Muhammad Fazil Kakar, Mullah Noorullah Noori, Abdul Manan Hotak (brother of Mullah Omar), Anas Haqqani Zadran, Maulvi Shahbuddin Dilawar, Mullah Khairullah Khairkhwa, Maulvi Muti ul Haq Khalis, Mullah Abdul Haq Waseeq, Maulvi Muhammad Nabi Omari and Suhail Shaheen.
Meanwhile, the Taliban have sent members of a commission to Kandahar, Helmand, Zabul and Uruzgan provinces to discuss stepping up attacks against the Afghan forces.
Suhail Shaheen, a spokesman for Taliban’s political office in Qatar, however, said that the commission was sent to discuss starting intra-Afghan negotiations, implementation of US-Taliban deal and reduction of violence.
Meanwhile, chief of US Central Command General Kenneth McKenzie has said that the level of violence in Afghanistan is still “too high”.
“They have scrupulously avoided attacking US and coalition forces. But the attacks continue against the Afghan government forces and at far too high a level,” McKenzie said.
He said that there was a risk of peace efforts falling apart.
