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Ramadan or Muslims fasting month traditionally and religiously is the month of peace and unity among the faithful Muslims elsewhere in the world but contrary to expectations, the situation in Afghanistan seems different as militants have intensified activities since the beginning of the holy month.
Afghan Ulema or religious scholars in their messages on the eve of Ramadan called upon anti-government militants to halt hostilities or at least observe ceasefire during the month and enable faithful Muslims to perform Ramadan rituals free of violent incidents.
However, Taliban militants have rejected the call, terming it as a "trick" to undermine the so-called Jihad or holy war and vowed to intensify activities against government interests elsewhere in the war-ravaged country.
Taliban in the articles and statements posted on its website has described Ramadan as the month of "Jihad and victory" calling upon its fighters to speed up operations throughout the holy month.
Ramadan began on June 6 and since then both the Taliban and Islamic States (IS) militants have carried out series of deadly operations in different parts of Afghanistan including the capital city of Kabul which claimed scores of lives.
In latest violent attacks, eight civilians and two security forces had been killed and several others wounded after the Islamic States (IS) militants attacked security checkpoints in Kot district of eastern Nangarhar province, triggering heavy clashes since early Friday.
In a suicide attack on June 20 in Kabul for which Taliban claimed responsibility, 14 foreign nationals, of whom 12 were Nepalese contractors, were killed and nine others including four Afghan passersby were injured.
On the same day, similar suicide bombing had killed 10 civilians and injured 40 others, all civilians.
The militants didn't even spare mosques. In attack on a mosque in the eastern Nangarhar province on June 10, three worshipers were killed and 72 others injured.
Increasing militancy and violent incidents especially during Ramadan have withdrawn nationwide condemnation and hatred among Afghans.
Religious scholars in their sermons have denounced militancy as an act against Islamic values urging armed militants to respect Ramadan and avoid harming people throughout the holy month.
However, the government in sharp response has kept on military crackdown against armed insurgents and reportedly has killed hundreds of Taliban and IS fighters since early Ramadan.
Afghan defense and interior ministers have vowed to ensure security across the country.
(APD)
