Breaking News - Taliban and Afghan forces embrace at Eid

Taliban and Afghan forces embrace in Eid ceasefire In scenes that would have seemed impossible a few days ago, members of the Afghan Taliban have been pictured embracing Afghan security forces amid a three-day ceasefire called to mark Eid.Video and images of similar incidents across the country have been posted by local media.Militants have also been pictured meeting Interior Minister Wais Barmak in the capital Kabul.President Ashraf Ghani wants the ceasefire to lead to a longer peace.He has called for the Taliban to negotiate. Earlier this month the Taliban denied that they were in secret talks with the Afghan government. Mr Ghani has also confirmed the death of the commander of the Pakistani Taliban, Maulana Fazlullah, in a US drone strike in Afghanistan.Extraordinary scenesBy Anbarasan Ethirajan, BBC NewsFor many Afghans these are extraordinary scenes. The two sides were fighting each other just a few days ago. The unprecedented development has raised hopes of permanent peace in the war ravaged country. Neighbouring Pakistan is considered key in starting the peace process as many Afghan Taliban leaders are believed to be living inside the country. However Islamabad accuses Kabul of harbouring Islamist insurgents who have carried out several violent attacks inside Pakistan in the past. But the killing in Afghanistan of Mullah Fazlullah, one of Pakistan's most wanted militants, could address some of Islamabad's security concerns.What has been happening?Tolo News posted video of a militant embracing an Afghan soldier in Kunduz in the north of the country.Channel One meanwhile posted pictures of militants and soldiers in Ghazni to the south of KabulIn Kabul itself, dozens of unarmed Taliban fighters entered to celebrate the unprecedented ceasefire.One Taliban member was pictured holding an Afghan flag on a bridge in the city as residents took selfies with him.Militants were also pictured with Mr Barmak.How did the ceasefire come about?The Taliban announced the The unprecedented ceasefire could lead to a longer peace, President Ghani says. News Today, Breaking News, Breaking news today, US News, UK News, trump news, World news