MAZAR-I-SHARIF, Afghanistan (AFP) –Afghans have travelled from across their war-ravaged country to the northern city of Mazar-I-Sharif united behind one wish: That the advent of the new year will bring them peace.

Up to half a million people are in the city, police said, to mark the spring equinox and the first day of the traditional Persian new year, called Nowruz and celebrated across Central Asia and Iran.

Mazar is at the heart of one of the most peaceful regions of the country, but security is tight amid an escalation of Taliban activity in the north.

City police chief Abdul Rauf Taj said 4,000 security personnel had been deployed against insurgent attacks and all visitors were being screened at seven check points around the city outskirts.