KABUL , Afghanistan ( CNN ) -- A top Taliban commander has issued a new threat to foreign aid workers , saying that under the insurgent group 's new `` constitution '' they will execute them as spies or hold them in exchange for the release of Taliban fighters . Taliban militants pose with their weapons as they drive their car in Wardak province . ( File photo ) In an exclusive telephone interview Friday night with CNN , Mohammed Ibrahim Hanafi said the Taliban intelligence wing was actively gathering information on foreign aid workers . `` If we get someone , that is how we will deal with it under our new constitution , '' he said . He added that he was telling `` Afghan brothers not to work with NGOs . '' In the 15-minute interview , arranged by an intermediary for CNN , Hanafi repeated the Taliban 's pledge to keep girls out of public schools . `` Our law is still the same old law which was in place during our rule in Afghanistan , '' he said . `` Mullah Mohammad Omar was our leader and he is still our head and leader and so we will follow the same law as before . '' `` In my opinion , '' he added , `` Taliban are n't allowing girls to go to schools because Taliban want women to preserve their respect by staying in their homes , not to work as laborers for others . '' Dozens of crimes across the country , especially acid attacks , have marred the opening of the new school year in Afghanistan . Afghan girls have been burned and scared randomly with acid as punishment for going to school . More than 600 schools did not open this year because of security issues , according to the Afghanistan Education Ministry . Watch what females face in Afghanistan » . The schools that did open , however , remain defiant . Young women admitted to CNN being fearful but also said they are determined to get an education and better their lives . It is a sentiment echoed by their principal , a 35-year veteran of Afghanistan 's girls schools . `` I am asking those who close schools and throw acid on girls to let the children of this country go to school because it 's crime to close the schools , a crime against the children of this country , '' said Safia Hayat , principal of the Zarghona Girls School in Kabul . Hanafi , meanwhile , went on to discuss possible reconciliation talks with the Afghan government . `` I do n't think there can be any discussion of peace until the the foreigners leave Afghanistan , '' he said referring to the presence of coalition troops . While he seemed to confirm that some reconciliation talks were ongoing , Hanafi also said he wondered what kind of peace was possible as long as Afghans are still dying in NATO bombardments . Hanafi described himself as a commander in the southern province of Helmand , but announced a new Taliban offensive in the north was about to begin and that he would be playing a key role there .
Top Taliban leader issues threat to execute foreign aid workers . Mohammed Ibrahim Hanafi Taliban intelligence commander was gathering intelligence . Hanafi repeated Taliban 's pledge to keep girls out of public schools . Commander gave exclusive telephone interview last night to CNN .