Army orders Kashmir truce for Ramadan

MILITANTS URGED TO RECIPROCATE MOVE ANNOUNCED BY CENTRAL GOVERNMENT

India will suspend operations against militants in Kashmir during the month of Ramadan, the government said yesterday.

The move follows weeks of sporadic violence in the state. More than 130 people have been killed this year in militant violence, prompting calls by the Jammu and Kashmir state government for a ceasefire during the fasting month that begins this week.

Federal Home Minister Rajnath Singh has ordered security forces to halt cordon and search operations across Kashmir, the government said.

Ceasefire welcomed

Only last weekend, soldiers killed five suspected rebels in an operation in Shopian district that prompted protests from hundreds of people who pelted stones at the security forces.

“Decision taken to help the peace loving Muslims observe Ramzan [Ramadan] in a peaceful environment,” the home ministry said in a Twitter post.

From Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti to the man on the street, there was universal acclaim for the ceasefire announced by the central government in the state during the holy month of Ramadan.

“I wholeheartedly welcome the Ramadan ceasefire and would like to thank [Prime Minister] Narendra Modiji and [Home Minister] Rajnath Singhji for their personal intervention,” tweeted the chief minister, who on May 9 sought the ceasefire.

She added: “The month of Ramadan is a harbinger of peace and such a decision will go a long way in creating a peaceful and amicable environment for a sustained dialogue.”

Former chief minister and National Conference leader Omar Abdullah asked the militants to reciprocate to provide relief to the people during Ramadan.

“On the demand of all political parties [except the BJP, which had opposed it], the Centre has announced a unilateral ceasefire. Now if the militants don’t respond in kind, they will stand exposed as the true enemies of the people,” he tweeted.

Separatist leaders remained tight-lipped.