A ceasefire between the Afghan government and Taliban was held for the third and final day on Sunday after hundreds of militant prisoners released in a bid to bring peace talks closer.

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The truce began on Friday to mark Eil al-Adha and country witnessed no clashes between the two forces since the ceasefire began.&nbsp;

Afghan president Ashraf Ghani and Taliban have hinted that the negotiations could resume after Eid.&nbsp;

"This Eid feels different, parks are full with people... you almost forget that there has been a war in this country for 40 years," said Shahpoor Shadab, a resident from the eastern city of Jalalabad.

The is &nbsp;only the third official halt in fighting in nearly two decades of conflict. Resdients in Zabul province recited poeams in order to make the ceasefire permanent.

"Peace is everybody's need and aspiration," said Sardar Wali, who took part in the poetry session.

"This is a great opportunity to extend the ceasefire today and start intra-Afghan talks tomorrow."

In February, US and Taliban signed a deal which slated the "intra-Afghan" talks on March. But these talks were delayed amid political infighting in Kabul and as a contentious prisoner swap dragged on.

The deal stipulated that Kabul would free around 5,000 Taliban prisoners in return for 1,000 Afghan security personnel held captive by the Taliban.

The National Security Council said Sunday that a further 300 Taliban prisoners had been released since Friday, taking the total number of insurgents freed so far to just over 4,900.

According to the Taliban, their part of the exchange is fulfilled.&nbsp;

A ceasefire between the Afghan government and Taliban was held for the third and final day on Sunday after hundreds of militant prisoners released in a bid to bring peace talks closer.

A ceasefire between the Afghan government and Taliban was held for the third and final day on Sunday after hundreds of militant prisoners released in a bid to bring peace talks closer. Also read: IS intel chief reportedly killed in Afghanistan The truce began on Friday to mark Eil al-Adha and country witnessed no clashes between the two forces since the ceasefire began. Afghan president Ashraf Ghani and Taliban have hinted that the negotiations could resume after Eid. "This Eid feels different, parks are full with people... you almost forget that there has been a war in this country for 40 years," said Shahpoor Shadab, a resident from the eastern city of Jalalabad. The is only the third official halt in fighting in nearly two decades of conflict. Resdients in Zabul province recited poeams in order to make the ceasefire permanent. "Peace is everybody's need and aspiration," said Sardar Wali, who took part in the poetry session. "This is a great opportunity to extend the ceasefire today and start intra-Afghan talks tomorrow." In February, US and Taliban signed a deal which slated the "intra-Afghan" talks on March. But these talks were delayed amid political infighting in Kabul and as a contentious prisoner swap dragged on. The deal stipulated that Kabul would free around 5,000 Taliban prisoners in return for 1,000 Afghan security personnel held captive by the Taliban. The National Security Council said Sunday that a further 300 Taliban prisoners had been released since Friday, taking the total number of insurgents freed so far to just over 4,900. According to the Taliban, their part of the exchange is fulfilled.

Afghan ceasefire holds for third day as hundreds of Taliban prisoners freed

Afghanistan's Taliban have decided to announce a three-day ceasefire during the holidays of Eid al-Fitr. The ceasefire will begin on Sunday and has come as a positive move following a bloody battle against Afghan forces after the agreement was signed with the United States.&nbsp;

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The Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, will be observed on Sunday in Afghanistan, subject to the sighting of the moon.

President Ashraf Ghani has welcomed this move by Taliban and has ordered Afghan forces to comply, whereas, US envoy to Afghanistan has termed this deal as "momentous opportunity."

According to Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid, he made a statement on social media which read: "Taliban's leadership instructs all the mujahideen of the Islamic Emirate to take special measures for the security of the countrymen, and conduct no offensive operation against the enemy anywhere."

As per the statement, the Taliban has asked its insurgents to not enter government areas and told Afghan forces to not enter the areas controlled by them during the three days of ceasefire.&nbsp;

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I welcome the ceasefire announcement by the Taliban. The Afghan government extends the offer of peace. As Commander in Chief I have instructed ANDSF to comply with the three-days truce and to defend only if attacked. Further details will be given in my speech tomorrow morning.
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Afghan President Ghani was quick to respond and took to Twitter to welcome the move where he said: "I welcome the ceasefire announcement by the Taliban. The Afghan government extends the offer of peace. As Commander in Chief, I have instructed ANDSF to comply with the three-days truce and to defend only if attacked. Further details will be given in my speech tomorrow morning."

Afghanistan's Taliban have decided to announce a three-day ceasefire during the holidays of Eid al-Fitr. The ceasefire will begin on Sunday and has come as a positive move following a bloody battle against Afghan forces after the agreement was signed with the United States.

Afghanistan's Taliban have decided to announce a three-day ceasefire during the holidays of Eid al-Fitr. The ceasefire will begin on Sunday and has come as a positive move following a bloody battle against Afghan forces after the agreement was signed with the United States. Also read: Afghans throng markets ahead of Muslim holiday despite virus fears The Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, will be observed on Sunday in Afghanistan, subject to the sighting of the moon. President Ashraf Ghani has welcomed this move by Taliban and has ordered Afghan forces to comply, whereas, US envoy to Afghanistan has termed this deal as "momentous opportunity." According to Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid, he made a statement on social media which read: "Taliban's leadership instructs all the mujahideen of the Islamic Emirate to take special measures for the security of the countrymen, and conduct no offensive operation against the enemy anywhere." As per the statement, the Taliban has asked its insurgents to not enter government areas and told Afghan forces to not enter the areas controlled by them during the three days of ceasefire. I welcome the ceasefire announcement by the Taliban. The Afghan government extends the offer of peace. As Commander in Chief I have instructed ANDSF to comply with the three-days truce and to defend only if attacked. Further details will be given in my speech tomorrow morning. — Ashraf Ghani (@ashrafghani) May 23, 2020 × Afghan President Ghani was quick to respond and took to Twitter to welcome the move where he said: "I welcome the ceasefire announcement by the Taliban. The Afghan government extends the offer of peace. As Commander in Chief, I have instructed ANDSF to comply with the three-days truce and to defend only if attacked. Further details will be given in my speech tomorrow morning."

Taliban announces three-day ceasefire during the holidays of Eid al-Fitr with government

Just days after the signing of the peace deal in Doha, the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/us-taliban-peace-deal-what-does-it-mean-for-afghanistan-and-other-stakeholders-283743">Taliban</a> said it was ordering its fighters to "once again start activities and attacks" against the Kabul government.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-had-no-right-to-sign-peace-agreement-iran-opposes-afghan-deal-with-taliban-283576">Also Read: Iran opposes Afghan deal with Taliban</a>

"As per the (US-Taliban) agreement, our mujahideen will not attack foreign forces but our operations will continue against the Kabul administration forces," the Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said.

Watch Video:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-taliban-signs-historic-peace-accord-at-months-end-what-does-it-mean-283566/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

According to the agreement, US troops were to pull out of Afghanistan in 14 months provided the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-begins-diplomatic-outreach-following-peace-deal-with-us-283536">Taliban</a> continued with the peace effort and engaged in dialogue with the government.

However, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said that "there is no commitment to releasing 5,000 prisoners."

"This is the right and the self-will of the people of Afghanistan. It could be included in the agenda of the intra-Afghan talks, but cannot be a prerequisite for talks," Ghani said.

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According to the deal, "Upto 5,000 prisoners of the (Taliban)... and 1,000 prisoners of the other side (Afghan forces)" were to be released.

The Taliban had earlier said they were ready for intra-Afghan talks provided the 5,000 prisoners were released.

"If our 5,000 prisoners - 100 or 200 more or less does not matter - do not get released there will be no intra-Afghan talks," Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid added.

Just days after the signing of the peace deal in Doha, the Taliban said it was ordering its fighters to "once again start activities and attacks" against the Kabul government.

Just days after the signing of the peace deal in Doha, the Taliban said it was ordering its fighters to "once again start activities and attacks" against the Kabul government. Also Read: Iran opposes Afghan deal with Taliban "As per the (US-Taliban) agreement, our mujahideen will not attack foreign forces but our operations will continue against the Kabul administration forces," the Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said. Watch Video: According to the agreement, US troops were to pull out of Afghanistan in 14 months provided the Taliban continued with the peace effort and engaged in dialogue with the government. However, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said that "there is no commitment to releasing 5,000 prisoners." "This is the right and the self-will of the people of Afghanistan. It could be included in the agenda of the intra-Afghan talks, but cannot be a prerequisite for talks," Ghani said. In Pics: How India changed its gameplan on tackling the Taliban in Afghanistan According to the deal, "Upto 5,000 prisoners of the (Taliban)... and 1,000 prisoners of the other side (Afghan forces)" were to be released. The Taliban had earlier said they were ready for intra-Afghan talks provided the 5,000 prisoners were released. "If our 5,000 prisoners - 100 or 200 more or less does not matter - do not get released there will be no intra-Afghan talks," Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid added.

After peace deal, Taliban orders attacks against Kabul government

Pakistan PM Imran Khan met Qatar's Emir ahead of US-Taliban peace deal.Imran khan visits Doha.

Imran Khan meets Qatar's Emir before US-Taliban Peace Deal

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Afghan ceasefire holds for third day as hundreds of Taliban prisoners freed

Taliban announces three-day ceasefire during the holidays of Eid al-Fitr with government

After peace deal, Taliban orders attacks against Kabul government

Imran Khan meets Qatar's Emir before US-Taliban Peace Deal