Afghan govt. begins release of final batch of Taliban prisoners

Saturday, 15 August 2020 5:56 PM [ Last Update: Saturday, 15 August 2020 5:56 PM ]

In this handout photograph taken on August 13, 2020 and released by Afghanistan's National Security Council (NSC), Taliban prisoners walk as they are in the process of being released from Pul-e-Charkhi prison on the outskirts of Kabul. (Photo by AFP)

Amin Alemi
Press TV, Kabul

Following the controversial Loya Jirga that secured the release of 400 Taliban prisoners, the Afghan government has freed 80 of them, saying the process will continue as the two sides are going to hold talks.

Many in Afghanistan believe that the move serves as a concession to the militant group.

The peace talks officially kicked off between the Taliban and Washington in February. Both sides had excluded the Afghan government from the talks, which were followed by inking an agreement between Taliban representative Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar and the US representative Zalmay Khalilzad.

The Afghan government says the approval of the release of the 400 prisoners, including 150 dangerous detainees who were sentenced to death, is considered as a win-win move toward bringing peace to the country.

Despite the government’s friendly gesture, the militant group’s atrocities show no sign of abating.

Separate Taliban attacks killed at least nine Afghan soldiers and injured over 15 others on Saturday. The government forces killed 25 militants on the same day.

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