The Taliban militants are wreaking record-breaking casualties on the Afghan civilians and security forces. As predicted, Afghan policemen are surrendering in hordes after the withdrawal of US-led NATO forces, and allowing the Taliban to make crucial gains across Afghanistan. Similarly, civilians, including women and children, are targeted by the militants to a large extent. The recent spate of suicide bombings – mainly a massive truck bomb in a heavily populated civilian area of Shah Shaheed on early Friday which led to the death of dozens and injury of hundreds – in Kabul demonstrates the Taliban’s persistent thirst for violence and bloodshed. In other words, with the election of Mullah Mansoor as Omar’s successor, the militants show fewer tendencies towards reconciliation.
Previously in an audio message, Mullah Omar’s successor gave mixed signals on the peace process. While calling peace talks the enemy’s propaganda, Mullah Mansoor did not rule out negotiations along with “Jihad” to achieve the group’s objectives.