Taliban News - Partial truce begins in Afghanistan amid isolated attacks. A week-long, partial truce appeared to be largely holding across Afghanistan on Saturday, with jubilant civilians celebrating in the streets to mark a potentially historic turning point in the war, even as isolated attacks threatened to undermine the process.br br The Taliban, US and Afghan forces have all agreed to a so-called "reduction in violence" marking only the second lull in fighting since 2001.br br However in Balkh province in the north, Taliban fighters attacked a district headquarters near the provincial capital of Mazar-i-Sharif, killing two Afghan soldiers, a local official told AFP.br br Afghans responded joyfully, with Taliban fighters, security forces and civilians hugging, sharing ice creams and posing for selfies in previously unimaginable scenes.br br Perhaps in a bid to avoid such scenes, the Taliban have instructed their fighters to stay away from government-controlled areas during the truce, but a senior Afghan security official said the insurgents would be welcome with "open arms".br br Thanks for watchingbr Please subscribe Ponka Newsbr br This presentation contains images that were used under a Creative Commons License.