Pakistan, April 23 -- The recent detention and subsequent release of influential Taliban figure Mullah Mutasim Agha Jan have highlighted widening internal rifts and power struggles within the Afghan Taliban, exposing deep-seated tensions in the group.

According to the security analysts, the episode underscores significant friction within Taliban's leadership structure. Mullah Mutasim, a former Qatar-based Shura member, was detained on the direct orders of Supreme Leader Haibatullah Akhundzada and taken into custody by his special unit.

They said that the immediate trigger for the arrest was reportedly Mullah Mutasim's remarks against Mullah Baradar, in which he used derogatory terms. Internally, he was accused of creating divisions with...