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Taliban fighters in Pakistan have declared an indefinite ceasefire in the Swat valley in the northwest of the country, the group's spokesman has said.
The declaration on Tuesday came after the army said it was ceasing operations in the troubled region.
"We have agreed on an indefinite ceasefire," Muslim Khan, the Taliban spokesman in Swat, said.
"We are releasing all prisoners unconditionally. Today we released four paramilitary soldiers and we will release all security personnel in our custody as a goodwill gesture."
The fighters had earlier announced a 10-day truce in Swat. The latest announcement extends the ceasefire indefinitely.
Controversial deal
The developments come after the Pakistani government signed a controversial deal with a pro-Taliban cleric to enforce Islamic law in Swat in an effort to restore peace.
On Monday, the Pakistani Taliban announced a separate ceasefire in the Bajaur region, neighboring Swat.
Bajaur is a major transit route for the fighters travelling to fight US and Nato forces in neighboring Afghanistan.
The US and other Western governments had criticized the Swat truce and negotiations, saying they could create a safe haven for al-Qaeda and Taliban in the region.
Unlike in Swat, the Taliban in Bajur had been losing ground in recent months, most analysts say.
The Pakistani military began its offensive against fighters in Bajur in September last year and claims to have killed around 1,500 Taliban fighters.
PHOTO CAPTION
Pakistan map locating Swat region
Al-Jazeera
