Taliban declares ceasefire during Eid

Kabul, May 10 (IANS) The Taliban militant outfit has announced a three-day ceasefire with the Afghan government during the upcoming Eid al-Fitr holiday, a spokesman said on Monday."To provide a peaceful and secure atmosphere for our compatriots to celebrate this joyous Eid al-Fitr with a greater peace of mind, all Mujahideen of the Islamic Emirate (name of the ousted Taliban regime) are instructed to halt all offensive operations against the enemy countrywide from the first till the third day of Eid," Xinhua news agency quoted Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid as saying on Twitter.The first day of the Eid al-Fitr festival will probably fall on Thursday this year, depending on the sighting of the moon.The Taliban spokesman also urged the insurgent fighters not to go to areas under the control of the Afghan troops during the ceasefire.
--IANS ksk/