A senior Taliban leader told media on Sunday that the Pakistan group's war against the Afghan government may well become "unjustified" following news of the withdrawal of U.S. troops in the country.

Former Taliban finance minister Agha Jan Mutasim said that the Taliban had initially justified their war as acts to defend their belief and country against foreign forces.

Like Us on Facebook

But as foreign troops are being pulled out from the country, Mutasim said that should the militants pursue their fight, it would be an act equivalent to "anti-Islam action."

Waging war and fighting against the Muslim government and its Muslim army would mean going against Islamic teaching.

Likewise, he also said that the Afghan government should re-examine its attack-and-defense approach since continued efforts to use force would only draw out hostilities from the Taliban.

He said that only a "backward" nation would engage in a war that pit Muslims against Muslims.

"Fighting own people, own forces and own government is useless. The Afghans are Muslims and you cannot fight against Muslims," he said.

According to Pakistan's The Express Tribune, this is the first time that a Afghan Taliban leader had publicly opposed the war.

Mutasim called for a peaceful dialogue and stressed the importance of resolving the conflict by arriving at a negotiated settlement that would be mutually beneficial for both sides.

The Taliban leader also noted the country's transition to democracy citing the presidential voting audits and urged all sides - the government and the Jihadists - to be mindful of the country's interests since it is going through a "sensitive phase."

The Taliban has not had the same support it did when it first took over Afghanistan, noted Mustasim.

In previous years, the group had gained the public's support mostly due to its growing discontent over the country's warlords, he said. Now that the Afghan government and its national army has obtained international support, it will become increasingly hard for the Taliban to carry out their campaign.

Meanwhile, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid admitted to a suicide bombing on Tuesday near the Kabul International Airport, accounting for at least 15 killed or wounded soldiers.

According to Reuters, three foreign ministers and an Afghan interpreter were among the casualties.

Reports have yet to identify the nationalities of the three foreign officials.

TagsAfghanistan war, conflict in afghanistan, US Troops in Afghanistan, withdrawal of US troops, Troops pull out, separatist campaign, jihad, holy war, Agha Jan Mutasim