Efforts on to extend ceasefire by a week

KABUL by one week and for a durable reduction in violence period, sources said Tuesday.

The three-day ceasefire agreement between the government and the Taliban is to end at midnight.

There was no significant incident of violence during the ceasefire period across the country, drawing national and international applause.

President Ashraf Ghani ordered the release of 2000 Taliban prisoners during a speech on Sunday following the ceasefire agreement and about 900 Taliban prisoners are set to walk free from various jails today (Tuesday).

Sources close to the Taliban say most of their members and leaders agree to extend the ceasefire, barring a few.

The sources say first the ceasefire will be extended by one week and then the period of reduction in violence would begin.

Sources close to the government also say they are hopeful about extension in the ceasefire period as efforts are underway to build high level trust.

One of the sources said the release of 2000 Taliban prisoners on Sunday and of 900 today is part of these efforts.

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