AKIPRESS.COM - Pakistan and Afghanistan have announced a temporary suspension of hostilities in observance of the Eid al-Fitr holiday and following requests from several Muslim nations, Dawn reported.

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar stated that Pakistan will pause its ongoing military operation, "Gazab-lil-Haq," against militant infrastructure in Afghanistan from March 19 to March 24. However, the Minister emphasized that any Afghanistan-led attacks during this period would result in an immediate resumption of military action.

Shortly after the Pakistani announcement, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed that Afghanistan would also suspend military operations, citing the collective request of brotherly Muslim countries.

This ceasefire provides a brief reprieve in a conflict that escalated on February 22 following Pakistani strikes on "Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan" positions and subsequent retaliatory offensives by the Taliban in border regions.

Eid al-Fitr, celebrated globally by Muslims, marks the conclusion of the holy fasting month of Ramadan.