| The government of Afghanistan has beefed up security measures ahead of opening a national peace conference.
The National Consultative Peace Jirga or assembly is scheduled inaugurating on Wednesday.
"The full proof security arrangements have been put on place," Gul Aqa Ahadi the spokesman for Peace Jirga told Xinhua on Tuesday, but he did not provide more information.
Aimed at finding ways and means to end the protracted war and ensure durable peace in the country, some 1,600 people including tribal chieftains, legislators, government officials and social figures from across the country are going to attend the three-day Jirga.
According to local media reports, security has been tightened as over 12,000 security personnel have been deployed to sensitive places and hilltops surrounding the venue held inside a giant tent.
All schools and government departments will remain closed on Wednesday and Thursday in the capital as part of security measures, officials said.
However, Taliban militants in a statement sent to media on Tuesday described the Consultative Peace Jirga as phony and vowed to continue Jihad or holy war against United States and its allies in Afghanistan. |
