Taliban Declare Ceasefire
Dozens Killed in Afghanistan Bus Bombing
KABUL (Dispatches) – At least 25 people have been killed and dozens injured after a roadside bomb struck a bus in Afghanistan’s southern Zabul province, the interior ministry said.
The blast took place late on Sunday night, according to Zabul’s provincial governor’s spokesman Gul Islam Sial.
He added that the injured include women and children who were in critical condition.
Violence in the country has been rising sharply in recent weeks after the U.S. missed a May 1 deadline to withdraw its troops from the country.
On Saturday afternoon, at least three explosions took place near Sayed-ul-Shuhada High School in the west of Kabul.
As many as 63 people, all students, were killed and 150 more wounded, Afghanistan’s TOLO News reported.
The incident is yet to be claimed by any group.
President Ashraf Ghani called a national day of mourning on Sunday.
Some observers call the circumstances surrounding the terrorist attacks and the fact that no group has yet claimed them suspicious.
They cite the precedence of Washington’s never fully acting on its pledges of withdrawal from the regional countries, saying the incidents could be used as pretexts to prolong the presence of America and its allies.
The Taliban announced late on Sunday that it would declare a three-day ceasefire for the Eid al-Fitr holiday later this week.
The Taliban "are instructed to halt all offensive operations against the enemy countrywide from the first till the third day of Eid,” a statement released by the Taliban said on Monday.
"But if the enemy conducts any assault or attack against you during these days, stand ready to robustly protect and defend yourselves and your territory,” it added.
Eid al-Fitr marks the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, its start determined by the sighting of the new moon. The Taliban declared similar ceasefires last year to mark Muslim holidays.
The government usually reciprocates with a truce, and Fraidon Khawzon – spokesman for chief negotiator Abdullah Abdullah – said early Monday: "We welcome the announcement … the Islamic republic is also ready and will announce soon.”
The blast took place late on Sunday night, according to Zabul’s provincial governor’s spokesman Gul Islam Sial.
He added that the injured include women and children who were in critical condition.
Violence in the country has been rising sharply in recent weeks after the U.S. missed a May 1 deadline to withdraw its troops from the country.
On Saturday afternoon, at least three explosions took place near Sayed-ul-Shuhada High School in the west of Kabul.
As many as 63 people, all students, were killed and 150 more wounded, Afghanistan’s TOLO News reported.
The incident is yet to be claimed by any group.
President Ashraf Ghani called a national day of mourning on Sunday.
Some observers call the circumstances surrounding the terrorist attacks and the fact that no group has yet claimed them suspicious.
They cite the precedence of Washington’s never fully acting on its pledges of withdrawal from the regional countries, saying the incidents could be used as pretexts to prolong the presence of America and its allies.
The Taliban announced late on Sunday that it would declare a three-day ceasefire for the Eid al-Fitr holiday later this week.
The Taliban "are instructed to halt all offensive operations against the enemy countrywide from the first till the third day of Eid,” a statement released by the Taliban said on Monday.
"But if the enemy conducts any assault or attack against you during these days, stand ready to robustly protect and defend yourselves and your territory,” it added.
Eid al-Fitr marks the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, its start determined by the sighting of the new moon. The Taliban declared similar ceasefires last year to mark Muslim holidays.
The government usually reciprocates with a truce, and Fraidon Khawzon – spokesman for chief negotiator Abdullah Abdullah – said early Monday: "We welcome the announcement … the Islamic republic is also ready and will announce soon.”