ISLAMABAD — Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, which has carried out gun and bomb attacks, announced a three-day ceasefire ahead of Eid al-Fitr, marking the first lull in clashes since late February when clashes erupted. Mohammad Khurasani, the group's spokesman, said the ceasefire was intended to allow people to observe Eid al-Fitr.

The ceasefire is set to take effect from the first day of Eid al-Fitr, which is expected to begin Friday in Pakistan subject to a moon sighting. No exchanges of fire were reported during the ceasefire period.

Pakistan and Afghanistan plan a temporary pause in fighting until Monday night. Pakistan and Afghanistan said they made the truce at the request of Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Qatar, which have been mediating efforts to end hostilities since cross-border fighting resumed in February and helped broker a ceasefire in October.

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar announced a temporary pause in fighting with Kabul. On Wednesday, Tarar said Pakistan's military did not target any hospital in the strikes in Kabul and that the strikes were aimed at an ammunition depot.

Afghan Taliban authorities said a Pakistani strike on a drug rehabilitation center in Kabul killed 408 people and wounded 265 earlier in the week. The reported toll of 408 killed and 265 wounded in the Kabul strike could not be independently verified.

Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan is separate from but allied to the Afghan Taliban and has been designated as a terrorist organization by the United States and the United Nations. The group has stepped up attacks inside Pakistan since the Afghan Taliban returned to power in 2021.

Pakistan accuses Afghanistan's Taliban government of sheltering Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan leaders and members who carry out cross-border attacks. The Taliban government of Afghanistan denies sheltering Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan leaders and members who carry out cross-border attacks.