Rajnath Singh said ‘unilateral ceasefire’ ends
Srinagar: A month long halt in security operations in Kashmir has ended, home minister Rajnath Singh said.
“The Government of India decides not to extend the suspension of operations in J&K announced in the beginning of Ramazan,” Home Minister tweeted.
The Government of India decides not to extend the suspension of operations in J&K announced in the beginning of Ramazan.
— HMO India (@HMOIndia) June 17, 2018
He said the government forces would start resuming operations against the militants.
The operations against the terrorists to resume.
— HMO India (@HMOIndia) June 17, 2018
Giving details about the halting of operations on 17th May 2018- the beggning of the month of holy Ramzaan- home minister said government of India took the decision that “security Forces will not conduct offensive operations in J&K during the holy month of Ramzan”.
“This decision was taken in the interests of the peace loving people of J&K, in order to provide them a conducive atmosphere to observe Ramzan,” he said.
On 17th May 2018, GoI took the decision that Security Forces will not conduct offensive operations in J&K during the holy month of Ramzan. This decision was taken in the interests of the peace loving people of J&K, in order to provide them a conducive atmosphere to observe Ramzan
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) June 17, 2018
Rajnath hailed the government forces for showing “exemplary” tolerance in the wake of mounting militant attacks.
The Govt commends the security forces for having shown exemplary restraint during Ramazan despite grave provocations.
— HMO India (@HMOIndia) June 17, 2018
He said the decision to stop security operations was been widely appreciated by the people “all over the country, including J&K, and has brought relief to the common citizens”.
Rajnath said it was expected that everyone will cooperate in ensuring the success of this initiative.
“While the Security Forces have displayed exemplary restraint during this period, the terrorists have continued with their attacks, on civilians and SFs, resulting in deaths and injuries,” he said.
It was expected that everyone will cooperate in ensuring the success of this initiative. While the Security Forces have displayed exemplary restraint during this period, the terrorists have continued with their attacks, on civilians and SFs, resulting in deaths and injuries.
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) June 17, 2018
As such he said government forces have been “being directed to take all necessary actions as earlier to prevent terrorists from launching attacks and indulging in violence and killings”.
The Security Forces are being directed to take all necessary actions as earlier to prevent terrorists from launching attacks and indulging in violence and killings.
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) June 17, 2018
The home minister said government was committed to working for creating an environment “free of terror and violence in Jammu and Kashmir”.
Government committed to working for creating an environment free of terror and violence in Jammu and Kashmir: HM
— HMO India (@HMOIndia) June 17, 2018
Earlier, Delhi had announced a rare halt in security operations with the onset of the holy month of Ramzaan. But even if killings have gone down, militant attacks spiked up by 30 percent since the security operations were stopped.
Army was opposing the unilateral halt in security operations from the beginning.
The Home Minister had earlier offered talks to the Hurriyat, but they said they will only respond once the government of India had made its stand clear with respect to the specifics of the talks.
On talks with the Hurriyat, sources said the Home Minister will push the Special Representative Dineshwar Sharma to open talks with them around or after Eid.
Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has appealed to the resistance leadership to grab the opportunity of dialogue with Delhi and move forward.