Bati Kot (Afghanistan): Taliban fighters and Afghan security forces hugged and took selfies with each other in restive eastern Afghanistan Saturday, as an unprecedented ceasefire in the war-torn country held for the second day of Eid.
Carrying assault weapons and rocket-propelled grenade launchers, members of Afghanistan’s biggest militant group travelled by car and motorbike through the contested district of Bati Kot in Nangarhar province, waving Afghan and Taliban flags.
Afghan forces manning checkpoints offered Eid greetings to the Taliban, embracing and posing for photos with the same people they are usually trying to kill – a scene that would have been unthinkable only a few days ago.
Villagers also flocked around the insurgents, hugging them and happily taking selfies with the heavily armed fighters as they celebrated the holiday capping the holy month of Ramadan.
“I am here to offer greetings to our brothers in the police and army,” Taliban commander Baba told AFP.
“We have held the ceasefire well so far. Everyone is tired of war and if our leaders order us to continue the ceasefire, we will hold it forever.”
A Taliban fighter on a motorbike carrying the Afghan and Taliban flags welcomed the ceasefire, but said long-lasting peace would only be achieved if US forces left the country.
“We want an Islamic country and government. This cannot happen unless America leaves Afghanistan,” he said.
Afghan Deputy Interior Minister Masood Azizi told AFP both sides had so far respected the ceasefire.
Bati Kot is on the highway connecting the Nangarhar provincial capital of Jalalabad with Torkham, one of the major border crossings into Pakistan, which has long been accused of supporting the Taliban and providing safe haven to its leaders, charges it denies.
Afghans shared photos on social media purportedly showing Taliban fighters around the country gathering with security forces and locals for the holiday.
The bizarre images served as powerful propaganda for both sides and have fanned hopes among war-weary Afghans for the ceasefire to continue.
