Afghanistan remained relatively calm on the second day of Eid, including in those provinces which saw some of the fiercest battles over the past few weeks.

Residents in embattled areas called on the warring parties to make compromises and avoid further war.

However, the Afghan Ministry of Defense (MoD) said that widespread attacks were reported in at least ten provinces, adding that the Afghan security forces managed to repel these attacks. But the Taliban has rejected the allegations, saying their fighters have been in a defensive stance during the Eid days.

“It is now three days that we hear firing in Taluqan,” said Rahman, a resident of Takhar.

“People want a ceasefire,” said Lotfullah, a resident in Takhar.

No security incidents were reported in provincial capitals Ghazni city, Kandahar city or Maimana during the Eid days, despite recent battles in these areas.

“The situation is peaceful in Ghazni now, there is no fighting, but the people are fearful," said Wahid, a resident in Ghazni.

“Our people want peace,” said Gul Mohammad, a resident in Faryab.

“They had their activities in 19 provinces and in 35 districts, the security and defense forces repelled their attacks, casualties were also inflicted on the enemy,” said Rohullah Ahmadzai, a defense ministry spokesman.

“We will soon launch our offensive operations to recapture the areas that have been lost,” said Khanullah Shuja, the commander of 209 Shaheen Army Corps.

“They (Taliban) should take advantage of the opportunity and engage in peace talks,” said Dur Mohammad, an Afghan police officer.

“We are defending--for the sake of Afghanistan and the people,” said Gulbuddin, an Afghan police officer.

This comes a day after President Ashraf Ghani during his Eid message said that the government was working on a new security plan to improve the country’s security situation in the next three to six months.