The top leadership of Taliban in Afghanistan
has reportedly initiated efforts to end conflict with the Islamic State, also known as Da'ish.
According to Khaama Press, a source privy to the development said Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada had also instructed his fighters to not attack IS militants.
Citing a source privy to the development, the local news outlet claimed Akhundzada said that the Taliban and IS-led insurgency are 'similar' and therefore the conflict between the groups should end.
The move came months after a United Nations report said that a combined force of Taliban and "self-proclaimed" Islamic State militants killed at least 36 people in what may amount to war crimes during a raid on a northern Afghan town in August.
A spokesperson for the Taliban, however, called the UN report "baseless allegations" and "false claims". Zabihullah Mujahid repeated an earlier statement that the Taliban had killed 28 pro-government militia fighters, but no civilians were harmed. He also denied that Islamic State was involved in the fighting.
On the other hand, Da'ish also released a statement saying it had led the attack and killed about 54 Shias. (WITH INPUT FROM AGENCIES)
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