Centre Announces Conditional Ceasefire During Ramzan

New Delhi: The Centre on Wednesday announced a unilateral ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir and asked security forces not to launch any operations in Jammu and Kashmir during the holy month of Ramzan.

The decision comes a couple of days ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Jammu and Kashmir.

However, the Home Ministry has clarified that the security forces reserve the right to retaliate in case of an attack or to protect lives.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and opposition NCP leader Omar Abdullah have welcomed the decision.

In 2000, former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpyee had taken a similar decision, Non-Initiation of Combat Operations (NICO) during Ramzan.

A week ago, Mehbooba Mufti had pressed for unilateral ceasefire starting from Ramzan till the Amarnath Yatra in August.

The holy month of Ramzan began on Wednesday night with the sighting of the moon and will continue till Eid celebrations.

The Amarnath Yatra will start on June 28 and conclude on August 26.

In the last four months, nearly 80 incidents of violence has been reported from the valley.