ISLAMABAD – Pakistani government officials have announced military operations in the country’s northwest will be suspended out of respect for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

The head of Pakistan’s Interior Ministry, Rehman Malik, Saturday said the offensive against militants in the tribal region will be halted Sunday night to allow displaced civilians to return home and observe the religious festival, which is expected to begin Monday.  He warned that security forces will retaliate if attacked.

Malik made the comments during a news conference in the eastern city of Lahore.

MORE LIKE THIS