Dozens killed in Afghan suicide bombings despite Eid 'ceasefire'

Second attack in same city then left 10 more people dead

A suicide bomber has killed at least 10 people in Jalalabad, eastern Afghanistan on Sunday, in the second attack in as many days targeting Taliban fighters, security forces and civilians celebrating a holiday ceasefire.

Attahullah Khogyani, spokesman for the governor of Nangarhar province, said the attack - for which no group has yet claimed responsibility - took place near the governor's compound.

Earlier in the day, the death toll from a suicide bombing against a gathering of Taliban fighters celebrating a holiday ceasefire near same city had risen to 36 following an attack which Islamic State claimed responsibility for.

Najibullah Kamawal, director of the health department in the eastern Nangarhar province, said on Sunday that another 65 people were wounded in Saturday's car bomb attack.

The bomber targeted a group of fighters who were celebrating a three-day truce that coincided with the Eid al-Fitr holiday.

Isis, which was not included in the ceasefire and has clashed with the Taliban in the past, eventually claimed responsibility for the attack.

In its wake, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani announced a nine-day extension of the ceasefire.

There was no immediate word from the Taliban on whether they would observe the extension and the three-day holiday and ceasefire ends Sunday.

Taliban fighters ride their motorbikes inside Ghazni city (AP Photo)

The chairman of the High Peace Council, a government body charged with negotiating an end to the nearly 17-year war, called on the Taliban to accept the extended armistice and join the peace process.

"We hope that the extension of the cease-fire will be announced by the leadership of the Taliban," Mohammad Karim Khalili told a press conference in the capital, Kabul. He said there had been an "exchange of views" between the government and the Taliban over the past week, without elaborating.

The Taliban have steadily expanded their presence in recent years, seizing a number of districts across the country and carrying out near-daily attacks on Afghan security forces.

But over the past two days, Taliban fighters could be seen celebrating the truce alongside Afghan troops and other people across the country.

Taliban militants waved flags as they travelled freely into cities across Afghanistan on Sunday.

Ecstatic men and children crowded around the soldiers and Taliban fighters.

Taliban fighters gather with the residences in Surkhroad district of Nangarhar province, east of Kabul, Afghanistan, Saturday, June 16, 2018. A suicide bomber blew himself up in eastern Afghanistan on Saturday as mostly Taliban fighters gathered to celebrate a three-day cease fire marking the Islamic holiday of Eid al-Fitr, killing 21 people and wounding another 41, said the Nangarhar provincial Police Chief Ghulam Sanayee Stanikzai. Most of the dead and wounded were believed to be Taliban, he said. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gal)

However, critics raised questions about what happens should the hugs and selfies stop and the festive atmosphere and calls for peace turn sour. They said such overtures and concessions have allowed the Taliban to pour into cities unchecked and win the upper hand.

The president had committed "a grave mistake" by allowing Taliban fighters to enter government-controlled areas, said Amarullah Saleh, a politician and a former head of the National Directorate of Security (NDS).

"We don't have mechanisms in place to mitigate the breach of ceasefire by the Taliban," Mr Saleh told Reuters.

Members of parliament opposing Mr Ghani's move said he had not consulted politicians and would be left with no recourse if the Taliban rejected his impromptu request.

The Taliban already roam huge swathes of the country and, with foreign troop levels down to 15,600, from 140,000 in 2014, there appears little hope of outright government victory.

Taliban leaders have at different times expressed interest in holding peace talks to end the conflict.

Men hug each other after Eid al-Fitr prayers outside of Shah-e-Dushamshera mosque in Kabul, Afghanistan on Friday (AP Photo/Massoud Hossaini)

But they have refused to meet with the US-backed government, saying they will only negotiate with America directly. They have also demanded the withdrawal of all foreign forces.

Mr Ghani, in an address to the nation, urged the Taliban to extend their ceasefire and begin peace talks. He said he wanted to discuss "issues of mutual concern with neighbouring countries and the presence of foreign forces".

His office has yet to declare a new timeframe for the extended ceasefire.

A senior western diplomat in Kabul said Mr Ghani's decision was "a bold move" but questioned what would happen if the Taliban rejected the fresh ceasefire request.

"The consequences could be disastrous," he said.