A captured Taliban leader, who reportedly led attacks against British troops in Afghanistan, has claimed to the BBC a $15,000 bribe got him his freedom.

Mullah Sorkh Naqaibullah, also known as the Red Mullah, claimed he was released last week after being held for more than five months.

He said the bribe was paid to an Afghan National Directorate of Security official, adding it was the third time he has been thus released in the past three years, the report said.

Naqaibullah is based in the violence-hit southern Helmand province, which has a large contingent of British troops, the report said.

In the latest incident, Naqaibullah claimed he won his release after being held for more than five months.

He said last Friday a visitor, who came to see him at the National Directorate of Security in Kabul, paid the $15, 000 to an officer at the NDS gate, whereupon the officer released him.

An NDS spokesman declined comment on his claims. However, the BBC quoted another NDS source that Naqaibullah had been released, and those responsible for his release were being investigated.

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