Afghanistan issues ultimatum to Taliban as bombing toll tops 150

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani issued an ultimatum to the Taliban on Tuesday, warning them to embrace peace or “face consequences” after announcing that the death toll from last week’s devastating truck bombing had passed 150.

Officials had previously placed the death toll in the attack at 90.

Ghani has been criticised over the bombing, the deadliest in Kabul since 2001, with protests roiling the Afghan capital as people incensed by insecurity call for his resignation.

He made a strong plea for peace at an international conference on Afghanistan attended by around two dozen countries, held under tight security.

“We are offering a chance for peace but this is not an openended offer,” Ghani said.

He also accused Pakistan of waging an “undeclared war of aggression” against Afghanistan.

Addressing the conference, Ghani said: “What will it take to convince Pakistan that a stable Afghanistan helps them and helps our region?”

Pakistan swiftly denied the accusation, with the media wing of its military saying Afghanistan should “look inward and identify the real issues”. A bomb outside a mosque in Herat killed at least seven people and wounded 15 on Tuesday, police said.

Officials believe explosives were hidden in a motorcycle left outside the Jama Masjid, a large 12th century mosque. AGENCIES