Salafis claim that the Taliban are no longer associated with the Ulama of Deoband.

Answer

The claim that the Taliban are no longer associated with the Ulama of Deoband is a monstrous lie. In fact it is a despicable slander against the Taliban. The Taliban are the staunchest Hanafis in the world. So staunch are they, that despite the Arab Mujaahideen fighting alongside them, they (Taliban) do not allow anyone to propagate any Math-hab which is in conflict with the Hanafi Math-hab. Not, only are the Taliban staunch followers of Deoband, they even actively participate in Tabligh jamaat activities.