New Delhi, Aug 21 - A group of young Afghanis was hooked to a television set in an Afghan eatery in Delhi's Darya Ganj area Friday afternoon, keenly watching the post-election developments in their homeland and praising India for helping Afghanistan in its reconstruction.

Enjoying 'authentic Afghani cuisine', they kept their fingers crossed, hoping peace will return to their war-torn country even as a wave of Taliban attacks across the country frightened away voters Thursday. The voter turnout was as low as 10 percent in some regions.

At least 26 people were killed on the polling day as President Hamid Karzai claimed victory Friday though the final results of the presidential poll and the elctions to the provincial assemblies held simultaneously will be out only next week.

Despite the violence, Nur Pirzada, who runs the old Delhi restaurant, said the 'historic' election passed off with 'unexpected smoothness and order despite attacks by the radical Islamist Taliban'.

'Given the magnitude of threat, the low turnout is still unbelievable,' he said.

'The security in Afghanistan is getting worse day by day. Every Afghan is hoping this election will bring in stability, and a powerful government takes the charge to defeat the Taliban and the militant groups,' said the tall and well built Afghani who has been in Delhi for the last two months.

'Insha Allah, the permanent peace will return. Let's hope this election is a step forward to development and reconstruction of our country even as we believe it is a long process to rebuild the nation,' Pirzada said.

Lauding Indian assistance to the country that has suffered continuous and brutal civil war since the late 1970s, Pirzada said Afghanistan has a 'great friend' in India.