Former Chief of the National Directorate of Security Amrullah Saleh has said the assassin of Asadullah Khalid was a former Taliban prisoner released by the Government. In an interview to a private TV channel in Kabul, he said the suicide bomber was released earlier from prison, who later went to Quetta to train for the attack last week. Hundreds of Taliban prisoners have been pardoned in last three years by President Karzai as part of the confidence building measures in the wake of negotiation attempts and efforts to reach out to insurgents.

Amrullah Saleh rightly criticized the Government for the unconditional releasing of hundreds of Taliban prisoners who are prosecuted and punished on criminal trials. Many of the notorious militant leaders released have joined back the ranks of insurgency.

Those released after the recommendations of Peace Jirga, have all joined back the frontlines. If prisoners, criminals and militants who are proved that they have killed innocent civilians are released in such a way, then why our security forces are fighting them?

The Peace and Reconciliation Commission has released more than 8700 prisoners in last couple of years. Last year, the former Governor of Helmand Gulab Mangal had said a huge number of insurgents pardoned by President Karzai and released from Bagram and Pul-e-Charkhi prisons had joined back the insurgency in his province. The process of releasing prisoners is a blind one without any strict checks by the intelligence, or surety from those released not to join the insurgency.

NDS Chief Khalid has been moved to American military hospital in Germany, and will be later shifted to the US for further treatment of his severe abdominal injuries. During the summit in Turkey, President Karzai said he has transferred documents proving the attack was planned in Pakistan and some elements from security establishment of that country were involved.

A copy of the proof has also been given to Turkish leaders. The Government must sternly follow this, and take the issue to international community in the UN, unless the Pakistani military and civilian leadership assure those involved in the attack have done in private capacity and are punished.

The attack also raises serious questions about the mechanism of our intelligence apparatus. How could a suicide bomber get into an NDS safe house and meet its chief, hiding explosives in his underwear? Once again, the attacker came as a Taliban negotiator. The questions must be answered by the agency and Government on this security breach and utter failure.