*New Delhi: *The centre’s announcement that security forces in Jammu andKashmir Will not launch operations during the month of Ramzan won’t affectcounter-intelligence operations, a senior government official has told NDTV.
“The counter-intelligence grid will keep functioning and we will not lowerour guard. We will continue to generate inputs and collate them,” said theofficer.
The centre feels its initiative will restore peace in the valley during theholy month.
“It’s not a concession given to militants but to people who face hardshipswhenever such operations take place,” a senior home ministry level officialtold NDTV.
Refusing to call it a ceasefire that is “between two countries across aborder”, the official said “here, we are just making life easy for people”.
“The government expects everyone to cooperate in this initiative that willhelp Muslim brothers and sisters observe Ramzan peacefully,” says a seniorofficer in the Prime Minister’s Office.
Militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba has rejected the government’s offer, sayingit will keep targeting security forces in Jammu and Kashmir.
The government’s gesture does not mean security forces will be sittingducks, tweeted BJP leader Ram Madhav.
The government took the views of all stakeholders before taking thedecision. “There is no difference of opinion, everyone is on board,” saidthe home ministry official. The decision was cleared by the union cabineton Wednesday.
The army had launched ‘Operation All Out’, following a spike in militancyafter Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Burhan Wani was killed in an encounter in2016.
According to official figures, 275 militants have been killed in Jammu andKashmir since the operation aimed at wiping out militancy in Kashmir beganin March last year. This year, 65 terrorists, including top commanders ofHizbul Mujahideen, have been killed.
The month of Ramzan that began today will end in mid-June. If the peaceinitiative works, the centre hopes that the annual Amarnath Yatra too willproceed peacefully.
“We keep refining our approach, nothing is static. So, even during thistime it will continue,” sources told NDTV.