Surprise ceasefire comes after the government of Afghanistan told security forces to halt operations against Taliban until June 20.

Taliban on Saturday announced a surprise three-day ceasefire over the Eid holiday in the middle of June, their first offer of its kind, following a ceasefire announced by the government on Thursday.

Taliban said that the ceasefire would exclude foreign forces, and that it would defend itself against any attack.

In a televised address on Thursday, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani announced an unconditional ceasefire with the Taliban until June 20, coinciding with the end of the fasting month of Ramadan.

Afghan President said fighting against other armed groups such as ISIS will continue.