A former senior Taliban official, Mullah Mutasim Agha Jan, has reportedly been detained in Afghanistan’s southern Kandahar province, according to local sources.

A report by Kabul Tribune claimed that Agha Jan was arrested five days ago by the Taliban’s intelligence agency.

He is reportedly accused of attempting to establish a joint platform of religious scholars from Afghanistan and Pakistan.

The initiative was said to be aimed at easing tensions between the two countries.

Sources close to Agha Jan stated that several clerics from both sides had already been brought together under the platform, and statements had been issued regarding extending a ceasefire between Islamabad and the Afghan Taliban authorities.

The report further claimed that Agha Jan had been working on a project worth nearly $10 million before his arrest, including the establishment of a religious seminary.

There has been no official confirmation or statement from Taliban authorities regarding the reported detention. Family members of Agha Jan have also declined to comment, and the claims remain independently unverified.

Meanwhile, Afghan journalist Bilal Sarwary said in a post on X that the arrest was ordered by the Taliban’s supreme leader. He alleged that a special unit, described as a “dead squad” responsible for the leader’s security, carried out the operation.

Sarwary noted that Agha Jan previously served as chief of staff and finance minister under Taliban founder Mullah Omar, adding that he was detained in Kandahar on April 13.