Taliban announces Eid ceasefire in Afghanistan

Kabul: The Taliban on Saturday announced a ceasefire in Afghanistan during the three days of Eid-ul-Fitr when no attack will be carried out on Afghan forces.

"All mujahidin are instructed to stop all their offensive operations against the domestic opposition forces throughout the country during the first, second and third days of the Eid," Efe news quoted a Taliban statement as saying.

The announcement comes after President Ashraf Ghani on Thursday announced a ceasefire with the Taliban and said no operations will be carried out against the fighters of the group starting from the 27th day of Ramadan (June 13) till the fifth day of Eid-ul-Fitr, Khaama Press reported.

However, the Taliban said it will respond to any aggression during the period of the ceasefire.

It also said the foreign forces are exempted from the ceasefire, emphasising that the group will maintain attacks on foreign troops across the country.

The group may also consider the release of the prisoners of war, provided that they will not return to the battlefield.

Eid al-fitr will begin on June 14.