Despite reservations by the security forces about unilateral ceasefire in Jammu & Kashmir, the Centre on Wednesday asked them to suspend operations during the holy month of Ramzan starting on Thursday. The decision came days after Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti proposed such a move referring to a similar initiative taken by then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajypayee in 2000.
Once the unilateral ceasefire comes into force, the security forces will halt pro-active stance against terrorists including seek and destroy (SADO) and cordon and search operations (CASO). While the three terrorist “tanzeems (organisations)”, including Hizbul Mujahideen, laskhar-e-Tayyeba and Jaish-e-Mohammad, have not ceased their attacks, sources fear that the one month breather will give the ranks of the ‘tanzeems’ to regroup.
The security forces, however, reserve the right to retaliate if attacked or to protect the lives of innocent people, he said. The 2000 experiment was major failure as terrorists used the opportunity to launch a series of attacks on vital installations and regrouping and rearming themselves. The Non-Initiation of Combat Operations (NICO) announced on November 19, 2000 was called off after six months on May 31, 2001.
Mehbooba and Opposition National Conference leader Omar Abdullah welcomed the Centre’s decision. “I wholeheartedly welcome the Ramzan ceasefire & would like to thank @narendramodi ji & @rajnathsingh ji for their personal intervention. My gratitude also to the leaders & parties who participated in the all-party meeting & helped build consensus towards this announcement,” Mehbooba tweeted.
Omar said if terrorists do not reciprocate to the Centre’s unilateral halt on anti-terrorist operations during Ramzan, the terrorists will be exposed as enemies of the people of Kashmir.
Announcing the ceasefire decision ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day visit to the State on Saturday and Sunday, the Home Ministry on Wednesday said the security forces have been directed to “suspend” anti-terror operations in Jammu & Kashmir during Ramzan.
The decision was taken to help the peace-loving Muslims observe Ramzan in a peaceful environment, Home Minister Rajnath Singh tweeted.
Explaining the rationale for such a move, the Home Minister said, “It is important to isolate the forces that bring a bad name to Islam by resorting to mindless violence and terror.” The Government expects everyone to cooperate in this initiative and help the Muslim brothers and sisters to observe Ramzan peacefully and without any difficulties, he added.
Apprehensions about terrorists, now under pressure due to relentless operations over the last one year, getting breathing space to reorganise and rearm thereby unleashing a fresh wave of violent attacks were aired during consultations with stakeholders, including the Army and paramilitary forces, after Mufti mooted the proposal on May 9.
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had also brushed aside Mufti’s proposal earlier this week and said “the Indian Army has to firmly handle any terrorism which threatens peace and harmony in Jammu & Kashmir. The Army’s position is that it has to be firm on terrorism.”
She said, “Jammu & Kashmir is an integral part of India. Terrorism has to be eliminated by the Indian Army for which firm action is required.” Similar views were expressed by Army Chief General Bipin Rawat, who said the Army will maintain tough stance against terrorists.
Sitharaman’s statement came days after Mehbooba said on May 9 “Everyone (all parties) agreed that we should appeal to the Centre to consider a ceasefire like the unilateral ceasefire in (former PM Atal Bihari) Vajpayee’s time during Ramzan (later this month) till Amarnath Yatra and Eid.”
But a day later, the BJP said it does not support the idea of unilateral ceasefire. “There was no consensus on it. BJP doesn’t stand by anything that says it is time to observe unilateral ceasefire,” BJP State spokesperson Sunil Sethi had said. Mehbooba made the appeal after convening an all-party meeting in Srinagar in the wake of death of a 22-year-old youth from Tamil Nadu in stone pelting.
Referring to Non-Initiation of Combat Operations (NICO) experiment announced on November 19, 2000, officials pointed out that the terrorists carried audacious attack on Srinagar airport, targeted then Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah’s public rally, and carried out a suicide attack an Army camp near Srinagar besides raising the levels of violence.
This came about as terrorists were able to move freely and attack security forces and vital installations with almost total impunity. Moreover, the ‘tanzeems’ managed to replenish their stock of arms and ammunition as security forces had stopped seek and destroy such war like reserves, officials said.
Sharing these experiences during consultations with the Government after Mehbooba’s proposal, sources said the Army, however, will continue to conduct area domination drill. Operations will be conducted based on specific intelligence about the presence of militants and retaliate if the army, paramilitary or police comes under attack, they said adding “our concerns have been met.”
As regards pressure on terrorists, they said nearly 65 terrorists were killed in the first four months this year in operations conducted round the clock. More than 200 terrorists were neutralised last year due to relentless anti-terrorism drive, they said adding the suspension of operations for one month is “not a good approach.”
Officials also clarified that there is no ceasefire on the line of Control (lOC) where the Pakistan Army regularly targets Indian Army posts to dominate the loC and provide covering fire to terrorists trying to sneak into Jammu & Kashmir. In fact, the loC has already seen more than 815 ceasefire violations by Pakistan in the first four months as compared to 850 such violations for the entire last year.