Ceasefire ends in J&K, operations against terrorists to resume: Government

Days after killing of senior journalist Shujaat Bukhari in Srinagar, Centre today called off its month-long suspension of operations against terror groups in Jammu & Kashmir announced at the beginning of Ramzan and directed the security forces to resume the operations against terrorists.

"The government has decided not to extend the suspension of operations or (SoO) or ‘cease-ops' in J&K announced in the beginning of Ramazan," Union Home Minister, Rajnath Singh announced on Twitter.

Commending the role of security forces to implement the ceasefire decision in letter and spirit, Home Ministry said "while the security forces displayed exemplary restraint, the terrorists have continued with their attacks on civilians and security forces, resulting in deaths and injuries."



According to some reports, there were 18 incidents of terror between April 17 to May 17 this year and the figure rose to above 50 during the suspension of operations. Besides that as many as 65 incidents of stone-pelting were reported from May 16 till June 16 during the ceasefire period. In comparison, 31 incidents were reported in January, 45 in February, 79 in March and 169 in April when the restrictions were not in place.

The Centre had announced suspension of operations at the beginning of the holy month on May 17 and had said the decision was being taken in the interests of the peace loving people of the state, in order to provide them a conducive atmosphere during the fasting month.

The ceasefire was imposed following reports from the Centre’s Special Representative Dineshwar Sharma that killings and encounters were not yielding the desired results and the emotional upsurge at funerals of militants killed in encounters was aiding recruitment by terror outfits.

Government explaining the rationale behind revocation of ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir

The suspension of operations saw brutal killings which included an army soldier by militants, attacks on civilians propagating moderate approach and finally gunning down of veteran journalist Shujaat Bukhari, who was a strong voice of peace.

The security agencies had alerted the government about designs by certain terror groups to disrupt the forthcoming Amarnath Yatra beginning June 28 and the need for conducting some operations in South Kashmir.