The US war in Afghanistan is the longest war the United States ever fought in history. The US and the Taliban signed an agreement in February for peace in Afghanistan after more than 18 years of conflict, but the situation in Afghanistan still remains the same (“Blast at religious gathering in Afghanistan kills 11 children,” Dec.19, Gulf today).

A suspected rickshaw bomb killed at least 15 civilians, including 11 children, on Friday at the Holy Quran recitation ceremony in central Afghanistan, officials said.

Initial information suggested that explosives were placed in a rickshaw in a district of Ghazni province, interior ministry spokesman Tariq Arian said. At least 20 people were wounded.

Most of the victims in Friday’s attack were under 18 years old, Wahidullah Jumazada, spokesman for the provincial governor of Ghazni, said.

It is so sad that after almost two decades of Afghan war, still young Afghani people under the age of 20 years are being killed in terrorist attacks but there is no sign of peace that was expected after a historical peace agreement between the United States and the Taliban.

For the better future of Afghanistan and its people, all stakeholders in Afghanistan should respect the peace deal between the United States and the Taliban.

People of Afghanistan have suffered a lot. It is important to bring about peace in Afghanistan. A peaceful Afghanistan is a guarantee for peace in the region.

Shahid Shami
By email