Afghan peace day

THE UN said guns fell silent across Afghanistan yesterday for an international peace day that saw pledges by the US, NATO, the Afghan government and the Taliban to halt attacks.

The UN said tens of thousands of international and Afghan soldiers as well as Taliban militants “all stood down from offensive military operations in support of the biggest international peace day effort that Afghanistan has known”.

Government officials from around the country reported no violence, and several credited peace day efforts.

“Today is peace day. The soldiers are resting,” said Abdul Jalal Jalal, the police chief in Kunar province, which borders Pakistan.

When asked if he had any reports of violence, US coalition spokesman Sgt 1st Class Joel Peavey said: “Not at all. It’s crazy, but apparently the Taliban sent out an email saying they were going to abide by it if we were, and we definitely are.

“It’s a great day to show Afghans exactly what peace is like and how their everyday life would be if they just booted out the bad guys.”

It was the 26th anniversary of the International Day of Peace, a UN-backed push for a day of non-violence and global ceasefire.