Pakistan to suspend military strikes for Ramadan
Interior Ministry chief Rehman Malik added, however, that security forces would retaliate against any militant attacks during the solemn period. The suspension was to take effect early Monday, while Pakistanis are to start the requisite daytime fasting by Tuesday.
An army spokesman, meanwhile, said it had not formally received a suspension order.
The US has pushed Pakistan to crack down on militants in its northwest tribal regions, fearing Taliban and al-Qaida-linked fighters involved in attacks on American and Nato forces in Afghanistan use those areas as safe havens.
Pakistan’s five-month-old government at first tried peace talks with militant groups, but those efforts bore little fruit. In recent weeks, it has focused primarily on battling militants in the Bajur tribal region, including using helicopter gunships to pound insurgent hide-outs.
Pakistan’s Taliban movement has responded with a string of suicide bombings in various parts of the country. The escalating violence has been coupled with political instability in the country since Pervez Musharraf was forced to resign as president August 18.
The military operation in Bajur, a rumored hide-out of Osama bin Laden, has – according to Malik – killed 562 Islamist insurgents and forced more than 300,000 people to flee their homes.
Separately, the military has launched strikes against insurgents in the Swat Valley, another northwest region that was once a popular tourist destination. Army spokesman Maj Nasir Ali said at least 40 Taliban were killed on Friday when fighter jets pounded militants in the valley.
Malik said his announcement of a suspension of operations applied only to Bajur because a decision on Swat required notices by the provincial government. Wajid Ali Khan, a top official with the North West Frontier Province, said a decision could come later on Sunday.
“The operation in Swat is in high gear, but the holy month’s sanctity requires that people spend it in peace and harmony,” Khan said, adding, “It shouldn’t be a one-way affair.”
A military spokesman said Sunday it had not been informed of any Ramadan suspension.
“Officially, it has not been conveyed as yet, but if the government has ordered a stop to the operation security forces will act accordingly,” Maj Murad Khan said.
It has been nearly impossible to confirm the death tolls and the scope of either the Bajur or Swat violence because of the dangerous and remote nature of the areas. Officials have not given any statistics on civilian deaths, though witnesses have reported dozens.
Since the Bajur operation began nearly a month ago, many of the displaced – including large numbers of women and children – are now living in sweltering, mosquito-infested relief camps in conditions that have alarmed aid groups.
The government has reports of tribal leaders in parts of Bajur standing up to militants and forcing them to leave, Malik said. He gave no specifics but called the reports “encouraging.”
He also said those displaced from Bajur should feel free to return “without any fear,” but nonetheless did not commit to an end to the operation.
Malik also warned militants against staging more activities.
“Security forces will forcefully retaliate if terrorists attack personnel, vehicles or posts anywhere,” Malik said.