Afghan officials held 'secret talks' with Taliban no.2 in Pak

Islamabad, Aug. 13 (ANI): In a move which could help revive stalled peace talks with the insurgents, Afghan officials have held secret talks with a former second-in-command of the Taliban, who is in detention in Pakistan, senior officials from both countries have said.

Afghan officials have often seen Pakistan as a reluctant partner in attempts to broker talks with the Taliban, but its decision to grant access to Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar may signal Islamabad's willingness to play a more active role, reports The Dawn.

National Security Adviser to Afghan President Hamid Karzai, Rangin Spanta, said an Afghan delegation had met Mullah Baradar in Pakistan two months ago.

"We have met Mullah Baradar. Our delegation has spoken to him to know his view on peace talks," Spanta said.

Afghan officials have publicly been demanding access to Baradar, who has been in detention since he was captured in Karachi in 2010, but Spanta's revelation shows that preliminary contact has already been made.

Pakistan's Interior Minister Rehman Malik also said Pakistan had granted Afghan officials access to Baradar.

"They had access at the required and appropriate level. We are fully cooperating with Afghanistan and whatever they are asking for the peace process, for developing peace in Afghanistan. We are giving every kind of help," Malik said.

Baradar was the main day-to-day commander responsible for leading the Taliban campaign against US and NATO troops, plotting suicide bombings and other attacks.

He was the right-hand man to reclusive Taliban leader Mullah Mohammed Omar.

Afghan officials hope Baradar could play a key role in any negotiations to end the Afghan conflict, acting as a go-between with senior Taliban leaders, including the movement's reclusive leader, Mullah Mohammed Omar.

Pakistan and Afghanistan agreed last month to resume regular talks on Afghanistan's peace process, with the new Pakistan i prime minister promising to help arrange meetings between Afghan and Taliban representatives. (ANI)