US hunt for Omar may go cold after 2014

KABUL Omar unless they posed a direct threat to America, a Department of Defence official indicated on Sunday.

Pentagon spokesman Rear Admiral John Kirby told reporters in Washington:“Being a member of the Taliban doesn’t mean that the US is going to prosecute operations against you for that reason alone.”

But he made clear those fighting against Afghan and American forces would not be spared. “We’ve also concurred that a member of the Taliban who undertakes missions against us renders himself vulnerable to US action.”

Omar has been on the State Department’s Rewards for Justice programme since Oct 2001 for harbouring former Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden and other terrorists. The reward for his capture is $10 million.

In response to a query, Kirby said: “I don’t know if I can answer that question. As the recognised leader of the Taliban they will continue to be prosecuted by US military operations…I can’t really make it simpler.”

Pajhwok Monitor/mud

Visits: 4