Mufti Yousuf is a citizen of Pakistan and an alleged Taliban leader and spokesman.[1]
Mufti Yousuf مفتی یوسف | |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Pakistani |
| Occupation | Taliban member |
On 15 October, 2001 Mufti Yousuf was accompanying international journalists in Jalalabad. The Associated Press quoted his response to reports of an aerial bombardment aimed at Osama bin Laden's underground headquarters in nearby Tora Bora:[2]
The Taliban just laugh at these bombs. It is nothing. It makes no difference.
Pakistan's Ambassador to Afghanistan was captured on 11 February 2008.[3][4] When he was set free on 16 May 2008 Pakistani authorities denied that his release was due to a negotiated prisoner swap.[1][5]
Nevertheless, the BBC, the Pak Tribune, and the Asia Times all reported there had been a prisoner swap.[1][5][6] The Asia Times reported that 55 militants were released and named Mufti Yousuf and Muslim Dost as two of the most senior swapped captives.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d
Syed Saleem Shahzad (20 May 2008). "Pakistani militants savor a sweet deal". Asia Times. Archived from the original on 4 July 2008. Retrieved 20 May 2008.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ "U.S. jets hit suspected bin Laden camp" (PDF). Colby Free Press. 15 October 2001. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 May 2011. Retrieved 17 May 2008.
- ^ "Pakistani ambassador goes missing". BBC News. 11 February 2008. Retrieved 19 May 2008.
- ^ "Pak envoy to Afghanistan goes missing: Believed to have been abducted in Khyber Agency". Pak Tribune. 12 February 2008. Retrieved 19 May 2008.
- ^ a b "Kidnapped ambassador freed: Taliban claim Mulla Obaidullah, others swapped for Tariq Azizuddin; govt denies deal". Pak Tribune. 18 May 2008. Retrieved 19 May 2008.
- ^ "Afghans free foreign contractors". BBC News. 18 May 2008. Retrieved 19 May 2008.