Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has replaced his defence and interior ministers and the army chief of staff amid rising casualties among Afghanistan's security forces in sharply increased fighting with the Taliban.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani vowed Sunday to speed up the release of Taliban prisoners after welcoming a surprise offer by the insurgents of a three-day ceasefire during the Eid holiday.

Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani signed a decree to facilitate the release of some Taliban prisoners in Afghan jails, a spokesman for his office said on Wednesday.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani pledged Monday to issue a decree on the release of Taliban prisoners Tuesday. The President also said that on the same day the negotiating team will be finalised.

President of Afghanistan Ashraf Ghani met Sunday with the Special Envoy of the Minister of Foreign Affairs for Counterterrorism and Mediation in Conflict Resolution Dr Mutlaq bin Majed al-Qahtani

The result of the Afghan presidential election may be further delayed, two officials said, after the main challenger to incumbent Ashraf Ghani said on Sunday

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani will seek re-election in 2019, his office announced Saturday, as potential rivals begin jockeying for the country's top job ahead of the ballot.

Ashraf Ghani's powerful national security adviser Mohammad Haneef Atmar had resigned, in a blow to the embattled unity government before parliamentary elections.

Hanif Atmar's resignation was accepted by Ashraf Ghani, presidential spokesman Haroon Chakhansuri said.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Sunday announced a ceasefire with Taliban insurgents from Monday to mark the Eid al-Adha holiday.

The attack on Ghazni, a strategic centre on the main road linking the capital Kabul with southern Afghanistan, has come as a severe blow to President Ashraf Ghani.

The Taliban resumed their campaign on Thursday after rejecting President Ashraf Ghani's request to extend their ceasefire beyond Sunday.