Govt halts security ops in J&K during month of Ramzan
CONDITIONAL Move on Mehbooba request; will retaliate if attacked
NEW DELHI: Security forces in Jammu and Kashmir will halt counter-insurgency operations during the Islamic holy month of Ramzan in the first such suspension in the troubled state for more than 17 years, the Centre said on Wednesday, accepting a demand made by chief minister Mehbooba Mufti.
“Decision taken to help the peace loving Muslims observe Ramzan in a peaceful environment,” Union home minister Rajnath Singh tweeted, clarifying that security forces reserve the right to retaliate if they are attacked or if it is essential to protect the lives of civilians.
Singh said the decision had been communicated to Mehbooba who, in a Twitter post, said she “wholeheartedly” welcomed the ceasefire and thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Singh. She added that this month is a “harbinger of peace and such a decision will go a long way in creating a peaceful and amicable environ-
It will go a long way in healing wounds of people who have been suffering for 3 decades... MEHBOOBA MUFTI, J&K chief minister
ment” for a sustained dialogue.
Pakistan-based Lashkar-etaiba (LET) militant group outrightly rejected the truce offer.
“We are in favour of negotiations but the talks of negotiations in presence of armed occupational forces in the region are lies,” a LET spokesman said.
Soon after the Centre’s announcement, a gunfight broke out between forces and militants in Shopian district of the Valley.