Taleban fighters in north-west Pakistan's restive Swat valley have announced a 10-day ceasefire.
Taleban fighters in north-west Pakistan's restive Swat valley have announced a 10-day ceasefire.
The move came after the government signed a deal with a militant leader to enforce Islamic law in the district.
The move came after the government signed a deal with a militant leader to enforce Islamic law in the district.
The ceasefire halts fighting between Pakistani security forces and Taleban militants in Swat that had raged since November 2007.
The ceasefire halts fighting between Pakistani security forces and Taleban militants in Swat that had raged since November 2007.
Once one of Pakistan's most popular holiday destinations, the Swat valley is now mostly under Taleban control.
Once one of Pakistan's most popular holiday destinations, the Swat valley is now mostly under Taleban control.
Hundreds of civilians have died in an increasingly bloody insurgency there, while thousands of others have been forced to migrate.
Hundreds of civilians have died in an increasingly bloody insurgency there, while thousands of others have been forced to migrate.
Details to come
Details to come
The agreement was signed by Taleban cleric Sufi Mohammad after talks with the North West Frontier Province's government.
The agreement was signed by Taleban cleric Sufi Mohammad after talks with the North West Frontier Province's government.
The agreement binds the provincial government to implement Sharia law in the Malakand division, which comprises Swat and its adjoining areas.
The agreement binds the provincial government to implement Sharia law in the Malakand division, which comprises Swat and its adjoining areas.
A militant spokesman, Muslim Khan, said the ceasefire was a "goodwill gesture to the ongoing talks between Sufi Mohammad and the government".
A militant spokesman, Muslim Khan, said the ceasefire was a "goodwill gesture to the ongoing talks between Sufi Mohammad and the government".
Details are to be formally announced on Monday in provincial capital, Peshawar.
Details are to be formally announced on Monday in provincial capital, Peshawar.
The ceasefire will certainly be welcomed by all sides, says the BBC's Shoaib Hasan in Islamabad.
The ceasefire will certainly be welcomed by all sides, says the BBC's Shoaib Hasan in Islamabad.
The Taleban say they will examine the document thoroughly before announcing a permanent end to hostilities.
The Taleban say they will examine the document thoroughly before announcing a permanent end to hostilities.
A Chinese engineer held hostage for five months had also been released as a sign of good faith, the militants said.
A Chinese engineer held hostage for five months had also been released as a sign of good faith, the militants said.
Mr Long, who was captured last August in the Dir region with a Chinese colleague, arrived at China's embassy in Islamabad earlier on Sunday and was in good health, a Chinese official said.
Mr Long, who was captured last August in the Dir region with a Chinese colleague, arrived at China's embassy in Islamabad earlier on Sunday and was in good health, a Chinese official said.
The colleague escaped in October, the Taleban said at the time.
The colleague escaped in October, the Taleban said at the time.
Are you in Swat? What do you think of the ceasefire? How has life changed for you in Swat?
