After weeks of increasing violence that gripped the country.
"In order that the Mujahideen again provide a peaceful and secure atmosphere to our compatriots during Eid-ul-Fitr so that they may celebrate this joyous occasion, all Mujahideen ... are instructed to halt all offensive operations," Mohammad Naeem, a Taliban spokesman, said on Twitter.The ceasefire declaration came two days after bombings outside a school in the western part of the Afghan capital, Kabul, killed at least 68, most of them students, and injured more than 165 others.
Fraidoon Khwazoon, a spokesman for Abdullah Abdullah, chairman of Afghanistan’s High Council for National Reconciliation, which heads the peace process, said the group welcomed the Taliban's ceasefire announcement. President Ashraf Ghani's spokesmen were not immediately available to comment on whether they would observe the ceasefire.
Peace talks between both warring sides in the Qatari capital, Doha, which began last year, have made no progress and violence has risen. Kabul has been on high alert since Washington announced plans last month to pull out all U.S. troops by Sept. 11, with Afghan officials saying the Taliban stepped up attacks across the country following the announcement.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Taliban seize district on outskirts of Afghan capitalThe insurgents have taken over the police headquarters and an army base in the area. FMTNews Taliban
Read more »
Blasts targeting Afghan school in Kabul kill 40, injures dozensMost of the casualties are students from the Sayed ul Shuhada school. FMTNews
Read more »
Car bombing at Afghan school in Kabul kills 55, injures over 150Witnesses say among victims are girls going home after finishing their studies. FMTNews
Read more »
Afghan school blast kills 58, doctors struggle as families bury victims'The entire night we carried bodies of young girls and boys to a graveyard and prayed for every one wounded in the attack.'
Read more »