Kabul: Afghanistan government on Saturday decided to  extend its unilateral ceasefire with the Taliban following an initial truce observed by both sides over the Eid festival period, BBC News reported

President Ashraf Ghani appealed to the militants to follow the government’s lead and enter peace talks.

In extraordinary scenes, militants have been embracing security force members and taking selfies with citizens.

However 25 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 attack, province spokesman Attaullah Khogyani was quoted as saying by  the BBC, adding that 54 people were wounded.

The Islamic state owned the attack

In a TV address Ghani   said the government was ready for “comprehensive negotiations” with the Taliban.

“All those issues and demands that have been put forth we are ready to discuss them at the peace talks,” he said.

The past day – where Taliban and government forces and officials mingled during Eid al-Fitr, the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan – “proved that we are all for peace”, Ghani said.