The Taliban militant group has dismissed a proposal by senior Afghan clerics to halt its attacks during the upcoming Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.

On its official website on Monday, the Afghan militant group rejected the month-long ceasefire proposal put forward by Afghanistan’s Ulema (Islamic Clerics) Council, vowing instead to intensify the attacks.

Mawlawi Shahzada Shaheed, a member of the clerics’ council, said Monday that the ceasefire initiative had been sent to the militant group four days ago.

“Afghanistan’s Islamic Clerics Council has proposed to both sides of the conflict, the Afghan government and the Taliban group to stop fighting during Ramadan,” Shaheed said.

He further called on Kabul and the militants to help prepare a “peaceful” atmosphere for Afghan worshipers during Ramadan, which will begin later this week.

The Taliban group considers the Ulema Council a supporter of the government’s policies.

The development comes as an Afghan delegation traveled Monday to Norway to reportedly hold talks with Taliban representatives.

The delegation, led by Deputy Chief Executive Officer Mohammad Mohaqiq, would attend a conference entitled Oslo Forum, according to Jawed Faisal, spokesman for Afghanistan’s chief executive officer.

The two-day conference is scheduled to be held on Wednesday and Thursday in Norway’s capital.

Afghanistan is still grappling with insecurity fueled by the Taliban some 14 years in the US-led invasion of Asian state, which removed the militants from power.

YH/MKA/HMV