Afghan government extends Taliban ceasefire

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Afghan President Ashraf Ghani announced Saturday an extension of the government's week-long ceasefire with the Taliban, without giving a time frame for the deal.

In a rare televised address to the nation, Ghani also asked the Taliban to extend their three-day ceasefire, which is due to end Sunday.

"I order the security forces to remain on their defensive positions," Ghani said, adding details of the extension would be released later.

Afghan Taliban militants walk as they take to the street to celebrate ceasefire on the second day of Eid in the outskirts of Jalalabad on June 16, 2018. /VCG Photo

His announcement comes as Taliban fighters and Afghan security forces hugged and took selfies with each other across the country as an unprecedented ceasefire in the war-torn country held for the second day of Eid.

Carrying assault weapons and rocket-propelled grenade launchers, members of Afghanistan's biggest militant group traveled by car and motorbike through the contested district of Bati Kot in eastern Nangarhar province, waving Afghan and Taliban flags.

Afghan forces manning checkpoints offered Eid greetings to the Taliban, embracing and posing for photos with the same people they are usually trying to kill -- a scene that would have been unthinkable only a few days ago.

People take selfies with a Taliban in Kabul, Afghanistan June 16, 2018. /VCG Photo

Villagers also flocked around the insurgents, hugging them and happily taking selfies with the heavily armed fighters as they celebrated the Muslim holiday capping the holy month of Ramadan.

The Taliban announced a ceasefire for the first three days of Eid, which started Friday, promising not to attack Afghan security forces for the first time since the 2001 US invasion.

Source(s): AFP