Afghanistan: Taliban says ceasefire will not be extended, fighting will continue until foreign forces leave

Crashing hopes for peace in Afghanistan, the Taliban onSundayannounced that they would not extend their three-day ceasefire which ends Sunday night with Afghan security force.

Taliban said that they would resume the fight and it will continue until foreignforces leave.

In the formal statement issued by Taliban, Haibatullah Akhundzada the head of Taliban reiteratedeid message of direct talks with the United States.

“We ask all our Mujahideen to attack foreign invaders and their internal puppets as soon as the ceasefire ends. The American occupiers must realise and accept facts. should choose face to face dialogue and withdraw occupying force," the statement says.

News agency AFP quoted Mujahid as saying, "The ceasefire ends tonight and our operations will begin, inshallah. We have no intention to extend the ceasefire."

Taliban's today statement came a day after Afghan president Ashraf Ghani announced that "a government truce with the militants would be extended". He further asked the group to reciprocate.

The first formal, nationwide ceasefire in the country since the 2001 US invasion had been met with jubilation across the country as Afghans -- Taliban, security forces and civilians -- celebrated Eid, the holiday that caps the fasting month of Ramadan.

(With inputs from AFP)