Taliban's Deputy PM Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Returns To Kabul After Speculations Of Him Being Missing

In early September he was attacked by the Haqqani network and there were growing rumours that he was killed. But the Taliban then released an audio statement confirming that Baradar was doing well.

endor holds a Taliban flag next to the posters of Taliban leaders Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar and Amir Khan Muttaqi. (AFP Photo)

New Delhi: Senior Taliban leader Abdul Ghani Baradar who is the Prime Minister of Afghanistan has returned to Kabul and has brought his own security personnel rejecting protection by the Interior Ministry, which is being headed by Sirajuddin Haqqani.

Baradar is seen as moderate voice in the Taliban and had also led peace talks with the United States.

According to reports, in early September he was attacked by the Haqqani network and there were growing rumours that he was killed. But the Taliban then released audio statement confirming that Baradar was doing well.

His defiance in using Haqqani’s security personnel is being seen by many as signs of infighting among the different factions of the Taliban. According to reports while the Taliban shows a united front, there are differences among leaders leading to rifts the group.

Baradar’s move points at problems between the Yaqoob and the Haqqani factions. While the former is being led by Mohammad Yaqoob son of the first Emir-ul-Momeen Mullha Omar, founder of Taliban and the Pashtun faction of Taliban.

The Haqqani Network is being headed by Sirajuddin Haqqani which is closer to Pakistan and is being backed by ISI.

Baradar’s return has fuelled fears that tensions may rise in Kabul. Reports say that the Taliban leader Anas Haqqani has denied claims of a rift in the group on Twitter.