No Decision on Extending Ceasefire in J&K as PM Modi Meets Rajnath

The Ramzan ceasefire which was announced for J&K on 17 May came to an end on Friday.

File photo of Home Minister Rajnath Singh with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

(Photo: Reuters)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a meeting on Friday, 15 June, with Home Minister Rajnath Singh on the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir and to review the suspension of operations during the holy month of Ramzan that ended on Friday.

During the meeting, which was held ahead of a dinner hosted by the prime minister for Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leaders, the home minister is understood to have briefed the PM on the security situation in the Kashmir Valley, especially in view of the recent killings, including that of veteran journalist Shujaat Bukhari in Srinagar on Thursday, reported PTI.

The Centre is expected to monitor the situation for some more days before taking a decision on extending the ceasefire, officials told PTI.

The Ramzan ceasefire was announced on 17 May.

During the brief meeting, the home minister is also understood to have briefed the PM on the security for the two-month-long Amarnath Yatra, which begins on 28 June.

On Saturday, with Pakistan violating ceasefire in Jammu & Kashmir's Arnia and Nowshera, Singh said he will speak about the matter on Sunday.

‘Result of Suspension of Operations Has Been Good’: MoS Hansraj Ahir

Earlier on Friday, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Hansraj Ahir claimed that the suspension of anti-terror operations in the state has been appreciated by the locals there, but Pakistan and the local terrorist forces are trying to instigate unrest in the Valley, reported IANS.

The result of suspension of operations in J&K during Ramzan has been good. Common people were satisfied with the decision. Whether to extend suspension of operations or not will be decided by the government.

Hansraj Ahir, Minister of State for Home

Ahir also condemned the killing of journalist Shujaat Bukhari on Thursday, saying that none of the accused involved would be spared.

Reiterating the Centre's commitment to ensuring peace and happiness for the people of Kashmir, he said:

It is the responsibility of the Central government to ensure the security of its people. So the suspension of operation would continue if it is successful in bringing peace in the region. Otherwise, the government would take appropriate actions for the welfare and safety of its people.

Hansraj Ahir, as quoted by IANS

The fate of the Centre's one-month-old policy of suspension of operations against militants in Jammu and Kashmir hangs in the balance, with a few security agencies flagging its disadvantages, including regrouping of militants, and some in the Home Ministry being in favour of extending it with a rider that intelligence-based operations should be increased, officials had told PTI.

The Valley has witnessed the killings of over 55 militants and the deaths of 27 locals this year.

The situation in Kashmir is considered to be turbulent as nearly 80 incidents of violence have occurred there in the last four months.

(With inputs from PTI and IANS.)