Taliban to eject ‘people of bad character’ from ranks

THE Taliban’s interior minister, a wanted terrorist with a $10million (£7.5million) bounty on his head, has announced a purge on “people of bad character” from its ranks.

Sirajuddin Haqqani, the movement’s deputy leader, declared a “purification” commission would be set up to rid the Afghan movement of unsuitable members.

“We are learning that people of bad character had entered [Taliban] ranks and had been causing a bad name to the Islamic Emirate and serving their vested interests,” he said in an audio recording.

“It is our humble wish that there should be a small number of people but they should be pure and sincere so that this movement should not get damaged,” he added.

The Taliban operated as insurgent fighters for two decades before toppling a Western-backed government in August.

Their membership has grown over the last two years, particularly after it became apparent the hardline Islamic group would return to power in some form.

Haqqani, a shadowy figure who has never been pictured in public, is also the head of a network that carried out some of the most brutal attacks of the 20-year insurgency.

The commission has been formed under the defence ministry, which is headed by Mullah Yaqoob, the son of Mullah Omar, the Taliban founder.

Reports have alleged that people identifying themselves as Taliban members have carried out a number of attacks on civilians and former members of the security forces.

Officials have repeatedly denied sanctioning these acts.

Haqqani called on his “brothers” to cooperate with the commission and “not to protect or support any individual of bad character on the basis of personal friendship”.

The message was the latest indication that the Taliban are trying to change from a guerilla insurgency into a full civilian administration since sweeping to power in the summer.