KABUL, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Contrary to expectations, fighting in Afghanistan has been continuing in spite of the peace deal inked between the United States and the Taliban on Feb. 29 and Washington's efforts to bring Afghan government and the Taliban into negotiating table.

Under the agreement the U.S. assured to facilitate the swap of 6,000 prisoners including 5,000 Taliban and 1,000 government men within 10 days counting from inking the controversial agreement, and initiate Taliban-government direct talks.

The government of Afghanistan has agreed to set free 100 detainees every day if the Taliban agrees to initiate direct talks with Kabul. However, Taliban has rejected the offer, insisting for the release of all 5,000 inmates within 10 days.

Afghan government clearly stated that the release of Taliban detainees should lead to ceasefire across the country and holding direct talks with the government delegation, but the armed group has rejected the condition.

The Taliban outfit has reportedly making preparation to intensify the war if the so-called peace agreement with U.S. is not met. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Majahid in contact with media has confirmed that two security personnel were killed outside Gardez, the capital of the eastern Paktia province on Wednesday.

According to Majahid, the militants have also launched series of attacks in other parts of country including Logar, Kapisa and Balkh provinces inflicting casualties over the past couple of days.

Confirming the militancy, Hujatullah Akbari, the spokesman for police in the northern Kunduz province said that the Taliban attack on security checkpoints in Khan Abad district Thursday morning left nine dead, including four police and five insurgents.

Militancy and counter-militancy have left at least over two dozen dead in the country over the past 24 hours, with majority of them militants, according to officials elsewhere. Enditem

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