Afghanistan releases hundreds of Taliban prisoners without conditions

The Afghan government this month released 490 Taliban fighters and commanders from its prisons, as part of a goodwill gesture to persuade the militant group to come to the table for direct talks with the Ashraf Ghani-led administration. A total of 887 prisoners, according to National Security Advisor Hamdullah Mohib, will be set free during the observance of the Islamic holiday Eid al Fitr.