Centre declares conditional ceasefire in J&K

New Delhi: Security forces will not launch any operations in Jammu and Kashmir during the holy month of Ramzan but they reserve the right to retaliate if attacked, the Home Ministry said on Wednesday.

The announcement came two days ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday.

Officials said the move is not a concession to the extremists but an effort to create an environment free of terror and violence during the holy month and there will be no lowering of the guard.

Today's decision has been taken to help the peace-loving Muslims observe Ramzan in a peaceful environment, a Home Ministry spokesperson said.

The Ministry said the security forces, however, reserve the right to retaliate if attacked or if essential to protect the lives of innocent people.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and opposition National Conference leader Omar Abdullah welcomed the Centre's decision.

The move of the Centre is similar to the Non-Initiation of Combat Operations (NICO) announced by the first NDA government, headed by Atal Bihari Vajpayee, during Ramzan in 2000.

Wednesday's announcement comes a week after Mufti had said that the central government should consider a unilateral ceasefire in the state starting from Ramzan till the completion of the Amarnath yatra in August.

The fasting month of Ramzan is likely to start tomorrow or Friday depending on the sighting of the moon and ends on Eid.

However, the ministry did not mention whether the suspension of operations against the militants will continue during the Amarnath yatra which will start on June 28 and conclude on August 26.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has informed Mufti of the central government's decision.

"It is important to isolate the forces that bring a bad name to Islam by resorting to mindless violence and terror," the spokesperson said.

The government expects everyone to cooperate in this initiative and help the Muslim brothers and sisters to observe Ramzan peacefully and without any difficulties, the spokesperson said.

During his Independence Day address last year, Modi had said bullets or abuses would not resolve the Kashmir issue and that it can be addressed by embracing every Kashmiri.

Modi had said his government is committed to restoring the lost glory of Kashmir and its status as 'heaven on earth'.

The prime minister had said only a "handful of separatists" were resorting to different tactics to create problems in the state and asserted that there would be no soft approach towards terrorism.