Operations begin amid inputs on plan to attack 'Amarnath Yatra'

NEW DELHI: The failure of cessation of operations to break the cycle of violence in the valley and fears that major attacks are planned during the Amarnath Yatra later this month led to a decision to end the unilateral ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir.

After multiple review meetings at all levels – from the state to the national security secretariat, the home ministry and finally the Prime Minister’s Office – a decision was taken that the month long Ramzan ceasefire would not be extended beyond Sunday.

“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,” Union home minister Rajnath Singh tweeted after announcing that offensive operations would once again be carried out by security forces in the valley.


Sources said that the clincher to end the ceasefire were professional inputs from security forces on a credible threat to the upcoming Amarnath Yatra that starts from June 28. With specific inputs that the pilgrimage would be the target of terrorist attacks this year, security forces had asked for a free hand to conduct Cordon and Search Operations (CASO).

The political call was that no chances can be taken to put the yatra to risk and that all possible precautions are needed for the safety of pilgrims. It is believed that the unanimous view of the security forces was that with a ceasefire at place even intelligence gathering operations were impacted.

The goal of the ceasefire – to end the cycle of violence that starts with stone pelters targeting security forces, and getting killed or injured in return – was also near accomplishment, with numbers showing that recruitments were at a high. According to numbers from the state, 12 local youth joined militant ranks in the past month.

Security forces fear the lull in operations has given terrorist time to regroup. Even as forces were not carrying out offensive operations, at least seven rifles of personnel were snatched during the ceasefire. In addition, over 20 grenade attacks targeted security forces, pointing to an emboldened terror network in the valley.

The view of the government is that there was a possible climate for peace to be pushed through with an extension of the ceasefire but the killing journalist Shujaat Bukhari and his two security personnel in Srinagar showed the intention of terror outfits, given that he was a part of ceasefire talks.

In the coming days, the government is likely to drive home the point that terror outfits did not even spare Muslims during the holy month of Ramzan. The cold-blooded murder of Rfn Aurangzeb was another indication that locals were heavily targeted during the ceasefire.

Security forces are now gearing up for focused operations over the next few weeks to rebuild its intelligence network and take down specific targets. Special teams have already been formed to hunt down the killer of Rfn Aurangzeb.