Taliban vow to strike during Ramadan

Taliban will continue attacks during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, rejecting a government announcement it would halt military actions in tribal areas, a Taliban spokesman said on Sunday.

“It’s a joke. It isn’t a matter of holy or unholy. All months are holy. If they want to end fighting, it should be permanent,” Muslim Khan, Taliban spokesman in the Swat Valley, told Reuters by telephone.

“We want enforcement of Sharia laws and will continue our struggle. We haven’t got instructions from our top leadership to stop fighting. If they do (order a halt) then we certainly will.”

Government had said on Saturday that security forces would suspend operations from Sunday night for Ramadan, which ends at the beginning of October, but would retaliate if attacked.

Worries about security and politics have unnerved investors who have sent financial markets skidding lower. The country’s main share index has fallen about 36 percent this year.