US-Taliban deal entering second phase: Zalmay urges Taliban to reduce violence

Saying that the landmark deal between US and Taliban has entered the next phase, US Special Representative on Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad has urged militants to reduce rising violence to allow Afghan peace talks to begin.

The two sides signed an agreement in February. Under phase one, the US said it would reduce troops to 8,600 within 135 days. It said it would also completely remove forces from five military bases.

In a tweet, Khalilzad, who negotiated the deal for US said that they have reached day 135, 'a key milestone in implementation of the US-Taliban Agreement'. "The US has worked hard to carry out the 1st phase of its commitments under the Agreement, including to reduce forces and depart five bases," he tweeted.

He further said that as they enter the next phase, US's approach will be based on certain conditions. "We will press for completion of prisoner releases, reduction of violence, complete delivery on CT commitments and start of and progress in intra-Afghan negotiations," he said.

He also condemned the attack at a government facility in Samangan province's capital Aybak, close to an office of the National Directorate of Security. "The Taliban's attack today in a provincial capital contradicts their commitment to reduce violence until a permanent ceasefire is reached in intra-Afghan talks," he said.

Khalizad urged all sides to reduce violence. Following the attack, Taliban fighters clashed with security forces killing 11 people and wounding dozens more.