World

Taliban rules out extension of Afghanistan Eid festival ceasefire

June 17, 2018 4:06 pm

A widely welcomed three-day ceasefire between security forces and the Taliban in Afghanistan appears to be over.

The Taliban said its militants had been ordered to take up arms again on Sunday night – now the Eid festival had ended.

The government says it will continue a unilateral ceasefire for another 10 days, although security forces can defend themselves if attacked.

Article continues after advertisement

There were unprecedented scenes of soldiers and Taliban insurgents hugging each other during the ceasefire.

But the ceasefire failed to end violence entirely.

At least 18 people were killed in a suicide attack in the city of Jalalabad, outside the office of the governor of Nangarhar province while officials were meeting Taliban insurgents. Dozens were injured.