The number of Taliban attacks has significantly decreased during the first 12 hours after the start of the process to reduce violence in the country, the local TV channel 1TV News reports with reference to the acting Minister of Defense of Afghanistan, Asadullah Khalid.
Earlier, the US State Department said in a statement on behalf of Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that the US is preparing to sign an agreement with the Taliban on February 29. Tolo News, citing the Taliban, said the Taliban confirmed signing an agreement on February 29 after reaching an agreement with the Afghan authorities to reduce violence. A seven-day regime to reduce violence came into effect on the night of Friday to Saturday.
The head of the Afghan security agency noted that in some areas of the country, in particular in the northern province of Balkh, despite the agreement, the Taliban made several attacks. The Afghan armed forces were forced to respond, defending themselves from attacks. According to him, it is possible that the instructions of the Taliban leaders did not reach ordinary members of the movement. He specified that in Afghanistan and the region there are “elements” that will try to upset the new order of things. However, according to the head of the department, this can be dealt with.