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| At least 26 dead as blast hits meeting of Taliban & Afghan forces during landmark ceasefire | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| At least 26 people were killed as an explosion rocked a meeting of Taliban and Afghan security forces during an unprecedented ceasefire for the Eid holiday. Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) has claimed responsibility. | |
| Casualties include Taliban members, Afghan security forces, and civilians, Attaullah Khogyani, spokesman for the provincial governor of Nangarhar, said. | |
| IS has claimed responsibility for the deadly attack, according to the group's Amaq news agency, which confirmed that it targeted "a gathering of Afghan forces." | |
| The timing of the bombing in the eastern city of Nangarhar appears to be significant. On Saturday, Taliban members entered the Afghan capital, Kabul urging people to come forward and take selfies with them. The unusual move reportedly occurred elsewhere in the country, as photos and videos on social media showed Taliban fighters giving hugs to locals and Afghan forces across several provinces. | |
| Afghan President Ashraf Ghani addressed the nation, saying the truce between the government and the Taliban will be extended. | Afghan President Ashraf Ghani addressed the nation, saying the truce between the government and the Taliban will be extended. |
| The government freed at least 46 Taliban prisoners amid the ceasefire, the president’s office confirmed, as cited by Reuters. Ghani’s office urged the militant group to also extend their ceasefire, saying that the government is waiting for their response. | |
| READ MORE: Taliban members take selfies, hug Afghan soldiers during Eid ceasefire | READ MORE: Taliban members take selfies, hug Afghan soldiers during Eid ceasefire |
| Earlier in June, the Taliban made a surprising statement announcing the suspension of hostilities with the government forces for three days to mark the Muslim holiday of Eid. This is the first time that the Taliban has ever extended an offer of this kind to Kabul. | Earlier in June, the Taliban made a surprising statement announcing the suspension of hostilities with the government forces for three days to mark the Muslim holiday of Eid. This is the first time that the Taliban has ever extended an offer of this kind to Kabul. |
| The ceasefire came two months after the group announced its annual spring offensive, as they vowed to target the “American invaders.” Heavy clashes repeatedly broke out across a number of Afghan provinces, with casualties inflicted among Afghan soldiers and police officers. | The ceasefire came two months after the group announced its annual spring offensive, as they vowed to target the “American invaders.” Heavy clashes repeatedly broke out across a number of Afghan provinces, with casualties inflicted among Afghan soldiers and police officers. |
| The militants attacked a number of cities across the country, seizing large quantities of weapons and equipment. | The militants attacked a number of cities across the country, seizing large quantities of weapons and equipment. |
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