Army ops in Kashmir will continue
The government on Wednesday made it clear that it had no plans to declare a unilateral Ramzan ceasefire with terrorist groups in Jammu & Kashmir, stating that it was for the other side to take the initiative.
By TNN |
NEW DELHI: The government on Wednesday made it clear that it had no plans to declare a unilateral Ramzan ceasefire with terrorist groups in Jammu & Kashmir, stating that it was for the other side to take the initiative.
“We cannot decide unilaterally. It depends on them (militant groups) as well,” defence minister AK Antony told reporters. “How do I know what the militants will do? How can I speak for the militants?”
Mr Antony’s statement ruling out a cessation of counter-terror operations in Jammu & Kashmir during Ramzan comes close on the heels of the Army’s expressing serious reservations against a truce with the terrorists.
“It may create hurdles in anti-insurgency operations and become a security threat in the months to follow,” GOC-in-chief of Northern Command, Lt Gen HS Panag said in Udhampur last week. The view was endorsed by Congress, even as its coalition partner in J&K, PDP, as well as the National Conference supported the idea of a Ramzan truce.
The feelers for a possible ceasefire came in earlier this month from the United Jehad Council - an umbrella outfit of militant outfits operating in J&K - with its chairman Syed Salahuddin suggesting that the militant grouping was game for a truce during Ramzan if a ‘sincere’ offer comes from ‘responsible quarters in India’.
Salahuddin, in an interview with a Kashmiri news agency, however confirmed that the militant leadership had not been approached at all, either directly or indirectly, with a ceasefire offer. “However, if an honest and sincere offer about it (ceasefire) comes from responsible quarters in India, the leadership will contemplate about the truce in Ramzan,” the terrorist leader told the Kashmir News Service.
Mr Antony on Wednesday said that while there would be no unilateral ceasefire with the militants in J&K, the Indo-Pakistan ceasefire on the LoC was holding good. “By and large, for the last three years, it has been holding successfully,” he said.
“We cannot decide unilaterally. It depends on them (militant groups) as well,” defence minister AK Antony told reporters. “How do I know what the militants will do? How can I speak for the militants?”
Mr Antony’s statement ruling out a cessation of counter-terror operations in Jammu & Kashmir during Ramzan comes close on the heels of the Army’s expressing serious reservations against a truce with the terrorists.
“It may create hurdles in anti-insurgency operations and become a security threat in the months to follow,” GOC-in-chief of Northern Command, Lt Gen HS Panag said in Udhampur last week. The view was endorsed by Congress, even as its coalition partner in J&K, PDP, as well as the National Conference supported the idea of a Ramzan truce.
The feelers for a possible ceasefire came in earlier this month from the United Jehad Council - an umbrella outfit of militant outfits operating in J&K - with its chairman Syed Salahuddin suggesting that the militant grouping was game for a truce during Ramzan if a ‘sincere’ offer comes from ‘responsible quarters in India’.
Salahuddin, in an interview with a Kashmiri news agency, however confirmed that the militant leadership had not been approached at all, either directly or indirectly, with a ceasefire offer. “However, if an honest and sincere offer about it (ceasefire) comes from responsible quarters in India, the leadership will contemplate about the truce in Ramzan,” the terrorist leader told the Kashmir News Service.
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Mr Antony on Wednesday said that while there would be no unilateral ceasefire with the militants in J&K, the Indo-Pakistan ceasefire on the LoC was holding good. “By and large, for the last three years, it has been holding successfully,” he said.
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