ISLAMABAD: Afghan Taliban Tuesday announced a three-day ceasefire on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha amid visit of the top US envoy to the region to push for an agreement on prisoners' exchanges and a reduction in violence. In a statement issued by Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid over Twitter, the group announced that all the fighters had been instructed to halt operations against enemy forces during the three-day and nights of Eid-ul-Azha with a view that Afghan people spend the days and nights in even more security and happiness. "However, if the opponent carries out an attack, they will meet a strong response," he added.
Mujahid further said that the fighters had also been instructed that no one had permission to enter the "enemy's" controlled areas, adding that the opponents would also not be allowed to enter the Taliban-controlled areas.
"Spend Eid in your own areas and provide a peaceful and secure environment for the general public," he further stated in the message.
The announcement comes at a time when US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad is visiting the region where he would hold talks with Pakistani authorities as well as discussions with the Afghan leadership in Kabul.
According to a statement of the US State Department, the ambassador departed on July 24 for travel to Doha, Islamabad, Kabul, Oslo, and Sofia.
In Doha and Kabul, it stated that Ambassador Khalilzad would press for resolution of the remaining issues ahead of intra-Afghan negotiations, specifically final prisoner exchanges, and reduced violence.
In Islamabad, Ambassador Khalilzad will seek Pakistani support in the effort to advance intra-Afghan negotiations.
In Oslo and Sofia, Ambassador Khalilzad will update NATO allies on the Afghan peace process, it added.
"The parties are closer than ever to the start of intra-Afghan negotiations, the key next step to ending Afghanistan's 40-year-long war. Although significant progress has been made on prisoner exchanges, the issue requires additional effort to fully resolve," it added.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2020
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