Afghan Taliban refuses to extend ceasefire

KABUL –, June 18 : (Xinhua)The Afghan Taliban has refused to extend a ceasefire, saying the insurgents would not extend their ceasefire which ended on Sunday night, the outfit said in an online statement released overnight Sunday. 

The government announced a ceasefire from June 12 to June 19 to encourage the Taliban to support the national reconciliation process. 

Reciprocating the step, the armed group announced a three-day truce from the first day of Eid-ul-Fitr, Friday to the end of Sunday. 

On Sunday, an Afghan Security Council meeting chaired by President Ashraf Ghani extended the ceasefire for another 10 days. 

The Taliban said in the statement that the truce announced by the insurgents was not a response to the government offer, but it was announced for the wellbeing of the nation and for providing secure environment for Afghans to celebrate the Eid festival. 
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