Afghan Taliban intelligence chief caught in Baghlan

US defence ministry said today that Afghan and US forces had caught Haji Mohammad Ramin, the intelligence chief of Taliban for northern Baghlan province.

"Taliban intelligence chief for Baghlan, Haji Mohammad Ramin was caught alive by Afghan and US forces in Baghlan province," the Ministry of defence said in a statement.

“He was hiding in a bathroom,ten of his bodyguards were killed,” the statement added.

Add WION as a Preferred Source

The Taliban is yet to give its side on the capture of the Ramin. The development comes even as US talks are underway with the Taliban in Doha.

US special envoy on Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad had said on Saturday that America was ready for all sides involved to lay down their arms in the Afghan conflict.

Earlier, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani had said he was ready to call an immediate ceasefire but the Taliban did not respond. As a gesture of goodwill, Ghani offered to release 175 prisoners.

Meanwhile, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid had said in a tweet that America should "forget about the idea of us putting down our arms".

US and Taliban negotiators had wrapped up their sixth round of peace talks last Thursday. A day earlier, a Taliban attack on a US-based aid group in Kabul killed at least nine people as Taliban forces battled against security forces.

At least 20 civilians were wounded in the attack with Taliban gunmen storming the Counterpoint International office.