Islamabad: Describing weapons as "ornament of the Muslims", the Taliban on Sunday refused to lay down arms even as nearly 200 militants were killed in Pakistan's NWFP after military launched operations against them last weekend.
"The weapons are the ornament of the Muslims so we will not lay down arms," Taliban spokesman Muslim Khan said.
"We lifted arms for the implementation of Darul Qaza and people laid down their lives for the same purpose," Khan was quoted by Geo TV as saying.
Khan said US President (Barack) Obama has hinted at abolishing Islamic law in Swat and vowed to keep themselves armed if US advances into Pakistan.
The Swat peace deal signed between Taliban and the NWFP government stipulated that the militants would lay down their arms once the demand for enforcing Islamic Sharia law in the once Pakistan's famous tourist resort was implemented. However, after the deal was signed the Taliban refused to lay down arms.
The militants took control of Buner, located 100 km from the federal capital and increased their influence in Dir and Shangla also.
Officials of the Frontier Constabulary told reporters that 153 militants had been killed so far in Buner alone.