Reports of release of former Pakistani Taliban deputy

Former Pakistani Taliban deputy chief Maulvi Faqir Mohammad has been released after serving 7 years in Afghanistan and returned to his village via Kunar, some Pakistani journalists have said.

According to sources, a Pakistani Taliban spokesman also confirmed the release of Maulvi Faqir Mohammad and said, "He has been released by the Afghan Taliban.

Afghan Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told the BBC he was "investigating".

Maulvi Faqir Mohammad was arrested by the Afghan government in eastern Afghanistan in 2013 and has been in custody ever since.