Sirajuddin Haqqani, the deputy leader of the Taliban, said that despite the group's belief in the peace negotiation talks as one of the core components of the solution to the conflict in Afghanistan, the Taliban will still continue the path of jihad (holy war) and strengthen its military power.

In a message to mark the completion of training of a group of Taliban suicide bombers at an unknown location, Haqqani said that the peace process does not mean the Taliban will abandon the path of jihad.

Footage released on the group’s social media platforms shows a group of Taliban fighters wearing suicide vests who are passing in a parade in front of the Taliban’s military commission.

Messages from other top Taliban officials, including Mullah Abdullah Ghani Baradar and Mullah Yaqoub, were read out in support of the suicide squad.

In this episode, host Yaser Abrar discusses the topic with the following guests:

Abdul Qayoum Sajadi, MP

Waliullah Shaheen, political activist and journalist