The sources speaking on the condition of anonymity said the forces have also surrendered their weapons along with equipment to the Taliban militants.
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Any temporary reduction in attacks would represent a breakthrough and boost the legitimacy of the budding peace process aimed at ending the 13-year-old war that kills hundreds of Afghans each month. The offensive removed Taliban from power, but insecurity still remains in several areas across the country.
“The list of attendants and the place is not finalized yet, but it is much expected that the second meeting will be held in China”, Maulavi Shahzada Shahid, a member of the High Peace Council of Afghanistan, told Stripes and Stripes.
Pakistan brokered and hosted the inaugural dialogue between the two sides earlier this month. “A ceasefire will give our people hope that these talks will bear good results”. This was the first time Omar has raised the prospect of negotiations.
A Taliban commander has been apprehended in the northeastern Afghan province of Badakhshan.
“The military operation started in Almar district on Friday morning to clear the area from insurgents’ threats, and is still ongoing”, said Abdul Sattar Barez, the deputy provincial governor.
Al Jazeera’s Jennifer Glasse reporting from the Afghan capital, Kabul, said: “The apparent target of this suicide attack was Afghan security forces, but we understand the hospital is full of injured civilians”.
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