Taliban declares rare three-day cease-fire for Eid religious holiday

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN — The Afghan Taliban announced a three-day cease-fire over the Eid al-Fitr holiday at the end of the holy month of Rama- dan, a first for the group, following a cease-fire announce- ment by the government.

A statement released Saturday by the Taliban said that they would defend themselves in case of any attack. They say foreign forces are excluded from the cease- fire and Taliban operations would continue against them.

The statement added that the leadership of the Taliban may also consider releas- ing prisoners of war, if they promise not to return to the battlefield.

Mohammad Haroon Chakhansuri, spokesman for the Afghan president, welcomed the cease-fire announcement. “We hope that (the Taliban) will be committed to implementing their announcement of the cease-fire,” he said. “The Afghan government will take all steps needed to make sure that there is no bloodshed in Afghanistan.”

“The government of Afghanistan is hopeful that this process will become a long-term process and ince, at least 13 local policewill result in a sustainable men were killed early Saturpeace,” Chakhansuri added. day when their checkpoint

Afghan President came under an attack by TalAshraf Ghani on Thursday iban fighters, said Nematanno u nced a weeklong ullah Temori, spokesman cease-fire to coincide with for the provincial governor. the holiday. The palace stateTemori said seven others ment referred to a gathering were wounded in Qala-e Zal of Afghanistan’s top clerics in district. Around 10 insurwhich they issued a decree gents were also killed and against suicide attacks and nine others wounded during called for peace talks. the battle, he said.

Hours before the Taliban’s In eastern Nangarhar provannouncement, at least 17 ince, a possible candidate for soldiers were killed when a district council seat was their checkpoint came under killed when his vehicle was attack by Taliban fighters destroyed by a sticky bomb in western Herat province. Saturday, said Mohammad

Farhad said one soldier Nasim, Rodat district govwas wounded. He added ernor. that eight insurgents were The Islamic State group killed and more than a dozen claimed responsibility for others were wounded in the the attack in a statement gun battle in Zewal district. posted on its news agency

In northern Kunduz prov- Aamaq website.