Afghan warlord Hekmatyar says jihad only alternative till foreign forces leave country

Islamabad, Aug 20 (ANI): Former Afghan prime minister and Hizb-e-Islami Afghanistan (HIA) chief Gulbuddin Hekmatyar has said "jihad" is the only alternative till foreign forces leave the country.

"The only solution is to continue the jihad until all the foreign forces fully leave Afghanistan," The Express Tribune quoted Hekmatyar, as saying.

The HIA had been involved in talks with Afghan government and U.S. officials, which were eventually suspended after Kabul signed a strategic partnership agreement with Washington earlier this year.

The Taliban had also been involved in talks with the U.S. over the past two years, but the process has now been suspended in the wake of differences over certain issues, including the release of prisoners.

"Those who think that the war will end in the presence of foreign military are wrong," said Hekmatyar, who has been in hiding for years.

He said peace and security could only be restored if foreign forces withdrew from Afghanistan. (ANI)