Imran Khan is now playing spokesperson for the Taliban. Speaking on behalf of the terror group, the Pak PM said 'Taliban won't talk peace until Ashraf Ghani resigns. Palki Sharma gets you the story.

Gravitas: Imran Khan plays Taliban's Spokesperson

A leading member of the Pakistan Taliban has escaped custody more than two years after surrendering to authorities, a senior security official said Sunday.&nbsp;

The confirmation comes days after Ehsanullah Ehsan -- the former spokesman for the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) -- released an audio message claiming he had escaped detention and was now in Turkey.&nbsp;

A senior security source told AFP Ehsan was "one of our major assets in identifying and later tracking down militants".

The source was unable to confirm claims that Ehsan was in Turkey, or provide details of how he escaped.

Ehsan was infamous for issuing chilling claims following TTP attacks and has been linked to some of the country’s most bloody attacks -- including the bombing at a park in Lahore during Easter 2016, and the targeting of education activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai.&nbsp;

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/latest-south-asia-news-parents-of-peshawar-school-attack-victims-move-court-over-escape-of-ehsanullah-ehsan-from-pak-jail-279502">Parents of Peshawar school attack victims move court over escape of Ehsanullah Ehsan from Pak jail</a>

Ehsan surrendered to authorities in 2017 and later gave high-profile interviews on Pakistani television, angering many in the country who believed he was being pampered by authorities after years of helping lead the bloody insurgency. &nbsp;

Pakistani security officials argued, however, that he had supplied valuable intelligence in the fight against militants.&nbsp;

Pakistan has been battling a homegrown Islamist insurgency for over a decade, with thousands of civilians and security personnel dying in extremist attacks, especially after the TTP began their campaign of violence in 2007.

Overall levels of extremist-linked violence have dropped dramatically last year, with 2019 seeing the fewest deaths since 2007 when TTP was formed.

Analysts have credited the fall to military offensives against the Taliban in the tribal areas of North Waziristan and Khyber where they were headquartered, as well as operations in the country's largest city of Karachi.

In 2018, the TTP was further degraded after a US strike in Afghanistan killed their leader, Maulana Fazlullah.

A leading member of the Pakistan Taliban has escaped custody more than two years after surrendering to authorities, a senior security official said Sunday. The confirmation comes days after Ehsanullah Ehsan -- the former spokesman for the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) -- released an audio message claiming he had escaped detention and was now in Turkey.

A leading member of the Pakistan Taliban has escaped custody more than two years after surrendering to authorities, a senior security official said Sunday. The confirmation comes days after Ehsanullah Ehsan -- the former spokesman for the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) -- released an audio message claiming he had escaped detention and was now in Turkey. A senior security source told AFP Ehsan was "one of our major assets in identifying and later tracking down militants". The source was unable to confirm claims that Ehsan was in Turkey, or provide details of how he escaped. Ehsan was infamous for issuing chilling claims following TTP attacks and has been linked to some of the country’s most bloody attacks -- including the bombing at a park in Lahore during Easter 2016, and the targeting of education activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai. Also read: Parents of Peshawar school attack victims move court over escape of Ehsanullah Ehsan from Pak jail Ehsan surrendered to authorities in 2017 and later gave high-profile interviews on Pakistani television, angering many in the country who believed he was being pampered by authorities after years of helping lead the bloody insurgency. Pakistani security officials argued, however, that he had supplied valuable intelligence in the fight against militants. Pakistan has been battling a homegrown Islamist insurgency for over a decade, with thousands of civilians and security personnel dying in extremist attacks, especially after the TTP began their campaign of violence in 2007. Overall levels of extremist-linked violence have dropped dramatically last year, with 2019 seeing the fewest deaths since 2007 when TTP was formed. Analysts have credited the fall to military offensives against the Taliban in the tribal areas of North Waziristan and Khyber where they were headquartered, as well as operations in the country's largest city of Karachi. In 2018, the TTP was further degraded after a US strike in Afghanistan killed their leader, Maulana Fazlullah.

Surrendered Pakistani Taliban spokesman escapes custody: Official

In a rare interview with WION's diplomatic correspondent, Sidhant Sibal, Taliban spokesman&nbsp;Zabihullah Mujahid talked about the future of Afghanistan as well Hindus and Sikhs if they come back to power. He added that he wants a cordial relationship with all neighbouring countries and added, "I'll protect&nbsp;Chabahar as it's positive for Afghanistan''. Edited excerpts &nbsp;

WION: Do you think American forces will leave Afghanistan and when is your next meeting with the US?&nbsp;

Zabihullah Mujahid: From the initial agreement we have reached with the United States, they seem to have shown readiness to leave Afghanistan and put an end to their occupation. A meeting to complete will be held on February 25, 2019.

WION: What kind of role Pakistan is playing in your talks with the US?&nbsp;

Zabihullah Mujahid: Our talks with the United States are between us and the Americans, no one else is involved in it.

WION: How do you see India's role in Afghanistan? India is helping in developing a lot of infrastructure projects.&nbsp;

Zabihullah Mujahid: Afghanistan wants good relations with all its neighbouring and regional countries. As the representatives of the people of Afghanistan, we want to see healthy and positive role of all countries in Afghanistan based on the needs of the people of our homeland.

WION: How do you see Chabahar port and future of the port?&nbsp;

Zabihullah Mujahid: We value all economic projects and are committed to supporting and protecting all projects that are fruitful and positive for the prosperity and development of our country.

WION: If you come back to power how do you see the situation of Afghan Hindus and Sikhs?&nbsp;

Zabihullah Mujahid: Afghan Hindus and Sikhs are our countrymen. Just as all Afghans have rights in this country, our Hindu and Sikh countrymen will have their own rights that shall be guaranteed.

In a rare interview with WION's diplomatic correspondent, Sidhant Sibal, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid talked about the future of Afghanistan as well Hindus and Sikhs if they come back to power.

In a rare interview with WION's diplomatic correspondent, Sidhant Sibal, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid talked about the future of Afghanistan as well Hindus and Sikhs if they come back to power. He added that he wants a cordial relationship with all neighbouring countries and added, "I'll protect Chabahar as it's positive for Afghanistan''. Edited excerpts WION: Do you think American forces will leave Afghanistan and when is your next meeting with the US? Zabihullah Mujahid: From the initial agreement we have reached with the United States, they seem to have shown readiness to leave Afghanistan and put an end to their occupation. A meeting to complete will be held on February 25, 2019. WION: What kind of role Pakistan is playing in your talks with the US? Zabihullah Mujahid: Our talks with the United States are between us and the Americans, no one else is involved in it. WION: How do you see India's role in Afghanistan? India is helping in developing a lot of infrastructure projects. Zabihullah Mujahid: Afghanistan wants good relations with all its neighbouring and regional countries. As the representatives of the people of Afghanistan, we want to see healthy and positive role of all countries in Afghanistan based on the needs of the people of our homeland. WION: How do you see Chabahar port and future of the port? Zabihullah Mujahid: We value all economic projects and are committed to supporting and protecting all projects that are fruitful and positive for the prosperity and development of our country. WION: If you come back to power how do you see the situation of Afghan Hindus and Sikhs? Zabihullah Mujahid: Afghan Hindus and Sikhs are our countrymen. Just as all Afghans have rights in this country, our Hindu and Sikh countrymen will have their own rights that shall be guaranteed.

Will protect Chabahar; Hindu, Sikh rights guaranteed, says Taliban spokesman to WION 