Taliban announces Eid ceasefire - media

The Afghan Taliban announced a three-day ceasefire over the Muslim Eid holiday in the middle of June, their first offer of its kind, days after the government declared an unconditional ceasefire of its own.

The militants said foreign forces would be excluded from the ceasefire and that operations against them would continue. They also said they would defend themselves against any attack.

"Members of the Taliban should not participate in public gatherings during the Eid festivities because the enemy could target us," Reuters cited the statement as saying.

There was no immediate official response from the government but Afghanistan’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Omar Zakhilwal, described the announcement as an "important step towards prospects for peace."

It was not clear exactly when the ceasefire would begin, as Eid starts when the moon is first sighted, but Afghan calendars mark Friday June 15 as the end of Ramadan.