By IRNA,
Islamabad : Pakistan will halt operation against militants on August 31st in respect to the Islamic month of fasting, a senior government advisor said on Saturday.
The army is engaged in operation against the militants in the tribal region of Bajaur as well as the scenic Swat valley in the country’s northwest.
“We are suspending the operation in Bajaur in respect to the Holy Month of Ramazan, ” Interior Advisor Rehman Malik said.
The Holy Month of ‘Ramazan’ is likely to begin in Pakistan on September 2 or 3rd.
The local Taliban had earlier announced unilateral ceasefire last week but the government had rejected the offer and had continued operation.
Over 200 militants, civilians and security men have been killed in the fighting started earlier this month in Bajaur, bordering Afghanistan.
Malik said that fighting in Bajaur has displaced around five hundred thousand people adding that suspension of operation will pave the way for their return.
The advisor said that the security forces will not carry out operation but if the militants attacked the troops they would also return fire.
“If they (militants) will act, we will give them a tough response,” Malik said.
“If they fire one shot the forces will fire ten shots,” he said.
Malik said that around 23,000 displaced people have returned to Bajaur and many more will move back soon.
He said tribesmen have risen against the militants and killed several over the past few days.
He asked the media not to present the militants as heroes.