Afghan government releases 100 Taliban prisoners after ceasefire announced

The Afghan government has released 100 imprisoned Taliban militants in the wake of a surprise nationwide ceasefire that appeared to be holding for a second day.

According to reports, Afghan National Security Council Spokesman Javid Faisal Taliban said on Monday that the militants were released from a military prison located about 50 kilometers north of Kabul.

“The government of Afghanistan has today released 100 Taliban prisoners from Bagram prison,” he said, adding that the prisoner release was to “help the peace process” and will continue until 2,000 prisoners are freed.

Authorities plan to carry out the release in batches of 100 people on a daily basis.

The Taliban offered a three-day ceasefire for Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan.

Afghanistan’s President Ashraf Ghani on Sunday announced the release of up to 2,000 Taliban prisoners. The president said their release was a “goodwill gesture” designed “to ensure the success of the peace process.”

The president also said the government’s negotiating team was ready to start intra-Afghan talks as soon as possible.

SS