Day 1 of ceasefire: Nine people killed, 18 wounded in 4 explosions

While both the Taliban and the Afghan security forces observed the first day of the three-day Eid ceasefire Thursday, four explosions were reported across the country, claiming the lives of at least nine people and wounding 18 others.

No group has not yet claimed responsibility for any of the explosions.

Thursday also saw people around the country calling for an extension of the ceasefire, stating that people are tired of the war and want to live in peace.

No clashes were however reported on the first day of the ceasefire between Taliban and security forces.

But despite the ceasefire, two separate explosions caused by landmines in Kandahar killed seven people including children and women and injured three others. The government says that all the victims were civilians.

In Kunduz, two civilians were killed and 14 others were injured when another IED exploded.

Sources say that all the victims were civilians and most of them were children who were celebrating Eid.

Breshna Power Company also reported on Thursday that one of its employees was wounded when an IED exploded while the technician was working on an electrical pylon.

At the time of the explosion, Breshna employees were repairing the pylon which had been damaged in another explosion on Friday night in Kalakan district of Kabul.

The pylon carries electricity from Uzbekistan to Kabul and surrounding areas.

While areas remained calm across the country, Afghan National Army (ANA) officials said they will observe the three-day ceasefire but they are still ready to defend the country if needed.

One Special Forces soldier, Safiullah, said he has “been wounded five times on the battlefield and just wants peace”.

As families relaxed on this special day, many took to the outdoors to enjoy the calm.

One popular family retreat on Thursday was Qargha Lake – on the outskirts of Kabul city.

Here family and friends gathered to enjoy the day and the respite from violence – taking in the peaceful surroundings where their children could play safely – a rare event in the country.

The United States, the European Union, NATO and the United Nations have meanwhile all called on the Taliban to continue the ceasefire, but the group has said the ceasefire will not last – a not-so-promising message for the Afghan people.