In scenes that would have seemed impossible a few days ago, members of the Afghan Taliban have been embracing Afghan security forces amid a three-day ceasefire called to mark Eid.
President Ashraf Ghani has extended the government’s ceasefire and called on the Taliban to do the same.
The government has also released some Taliban militants from jail.
However 20 people died in a suicide attack on one gathering of Taliban and government officials in Nangarhar.
Taliban members and local residents were among the victims of the suicide attack in the eastern city of Nangarhar, province spokesman Attaullah Khogyani told the BBC.
The Taliban have said they were not behind the attack.
President Ghani wants the Eid ceasefire to lead to a longer peace. Eid al-Fitr marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan.
In a televised address, Mr Ghani said Taliban members could now receive government assistance like ordinary citizens.
He did not mention the attack in Nangarhar.
Earlier this month the Taliban denied that they were in secret talks with the Afghan government.
Mr Ghani has also confirmed the death of the commander of the Pakistani Taliban, Maulana Fazlullah, in a US drone strike in Afghanistan on Thursday.
Source : BBC
