New Delhi:
In view of the continuing violence following the month-long halting of operations along LoC and the security forces firmly against ceasefire extension, the Centre is unlikely to extend the India-Pakistan ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir beyond Eid, according to reports.
The decision not to continue the ceasefire came after an increase in incidents of terror attacks and infiltrations was witnessed during the month of Ramzan. It has been also influenced by the fact that Amarnath yatra is scheduled to begin on June 28.
Meanwhile, another source closed to the developments said a second school of thought was of taking a "long-term view" on extending the suspension of operations against militants.
Security agencies, however, are firmly against the ceasefire extension for safety concerns during Amarnath Yatra 2018. It would be a challenging task to provide security to the pilgrims if there happens to be a ceasefire, sources added.
However, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh is expected to hold a high-level meeting on the issue and will announce the final decision on Sunday. "Let people celebrate Eid first," Singh stated before heading to the meeting.
I extend my wishes to everyone on the occasion of #Eid: Home Minister Rajnath Singh; on being asked about ceasefire violation by Pakistan he said, 'I will speak on it tomorrow.' pic.twitter.com/8H4GkxwKyY
— ANI (@ANI) June 16, 2018
Read | Shujaat Bukhari killing evokes condemnations from media, politicians; 'Rising Kashmir' hits stands
On being asked about the ceasefire violation by Pakistan, Dr Jitendra Singh, MoS PMO, said, "Priority is to make sure that Amarnath Yatra is concluded peacefully. The responsibility is not limited only to govt but also civil society. Need to exercise a high degree of alertness keeping in mind possibility of mischief happening from across the border."
Priority is to make sure that Amarnath Yatra is concluded peacefully.The responsibility is not limited only to govt but also civil society.Need to exercise high degree of alertness keeping in mind possibility of mischief happening from across the border: Dr Jitendra Singh,MoS PMO pic.twitter.com/ELJZ9YDQv8
— ANI (@ANI) June 16, 2018
The Centre, on May 16, had announced a unilateral cessation of operations against militants keeping in mind the holy month of Ramzan. Pakistan, however, had not honoured India's decision to maintain the unilateral ceasefire and time and again violated it across the Line of Control (LoC).
The situation in the valley was tensed even on Thursday as two unidentified terrorists along with an Army soldier were killed in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district.
Read | India must renew diplomatic offensive to bring Pakistan to heel
The bullet-ridden body of abducted Army man, identified as Aurangzeb, a rifleman with the 44 Rashtriya Rifles was found after an extensive search operation on Thursday. Terrorists kidnapped Aurangzeb while he was leaving for his native place in Poonch from south Kashmir to celebrate Eid with his family.
Shujaat Bukhari, the editor of Rising Kashmir newspaper, was gunned down in Srinagar just before the Centre's Ramzan ceasefire ended. The assassination of the senior journalist evoked strong condemnations from across the media houses, triggering a debate on whether the Centre should resume the operations against militants in Jammu and Kashmir.
Read | Amid heightened tension along LoC, no exchange of sweets at Attari-Wagah border this Eid
A total of eleven BSF troops have been killed in cross-border firing incidents along the International Border in Jammu and Kashmir in 2018.
