Kabul, May 14 (TIWN) At least nine people were killed and 17 others injured during explosions in Afghanistan's Kandahar and Kunduz provinces on the first day of an Eid ceasefire declared by the Taliban and the Kabul government, according to authorities.

“But if the enemy conducts any assault or attack against you during these days, stand ready to robustly protect and defend yourselves and your territory,” it added.  The ceasefire announcement comes as the United States continues to pull out its last 2,500 troops 20 years after it invaded the country and removed the Taliban from power. US-led efforts to bring peace seem to have faltered as talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government have hardly progressed.