Yawn.

SHAKTOI, Pakistan (AP) — The Pakistani Taliban vowed to fight with “new zeal” in the wake of Osama bin Laden’s death to complete the al-Qaida chief’s mission of waging holy war against the West, the deputy commander of the militant group told The Associated Press.

The comments by Waliur Rehman appeared designed to deflate expectations that the May 2 raid by U.S. Navy SEALs that killed bin Laden would slow down insurgent groups allied with or inspired by al-Qaida. It also could be an attempt to raise morale among the insurgents.

The primary target of the Pakistani Taliban has been Pakistan itself, which the militants claim is essentially a slave to the United States. But the group also has been linked to plots against the West, including a Pakistani American’s failed attempt to detonate a car bomb in New York’s Times Square last year and a suicide bombing that killed seven CIA agents at an Afghan base in 2009.

Last week, the Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility for a double suicide bombing at a paramilitary police training facility that killed some 90 people, and said it was revenge for bin Laden’s death.

Rehman did not mention those bombings, but suggested the militants would continue to stage attacks in the coming days. He spoke to the AP on Monday along the border between North and South Waziristan, two lawless tribal regions where Islamist militants are strong.

“After the martyrdom of Sheik Osama, the mujahideen will continue jihad to complete his mission with a new zeal,” Rehman said, referring to his fighters.

“We have the same target, program and mission,” he added. “Our enemies are NATO, Jews and Christians.”

The Pakistani Taliban is a network of militant groups that is distinct from but linked to the Afghan Taliban.