JK sees encounter hours after centre announced ceasefire; shows Army is free for offensive when required

Srinagar, May 17: Hours after a conditional ceasefire was announced by the central government, an encounter broke between security forces and terrorists in Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday.

 

Notably, a group of terrorists opened fire on an Army patrol at Jamnagri in Shopian district after which the Army personnel retaliated that triggered the gun battle. No casualties have been reported so far. This comes an hour after PM Modi led central government announced a conditional ceasefire to stop anti-terror operation.

In a bid to eradicate terrorists and terrorism from Jammu and Kashmir, the Indian security forces were given free hand. Looking at the holy month of Ramzan and Amarnath Yatra, Home Minister Rajnath Singh announced a conditional ceasefire to stop anti-terror operation.

However, security forces were given right to retaliate if attacked or if essential to protect the lives of innocent people. 

Minister Rajnath Singh himself informed Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti about the decision which was later lauded by her and other leaders of Jammu and Kashmir. CM Mehbooba Mufti said she is thankful to PM Narendra Modi and home minister Rajnath Singh for taking a personal interest in curbing militancy after the Centre granted her wish and declared a ‘conditional ceasefire’ by security forces in the state during the holy month of Ramzan.

Earlier, CM Mufti made a plea for a unilateral ceasefire by security forces in Kashmir following the killing of a Chennai tourist by stone-pelting protesters in Kashmir in the aftermath of the May 7 Shopian encounter.

Last week, security forces busted a terror module of Hizbul Mujahideen involved in hawala transactions in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir and arrested at least four people, including a former terrorist.

The arrest comes a week after security forces busted a terror module in Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir and arrested at least four terrorists and seven over-ground workers (OGWs). Earlier, Hizbul’s top commander Sameer Ahmed Bhat alias 'Sameer Tiger' along with his close associate Aaquib Mushtaq was eliminated by security forces after a fierce encounter that took place in Drabgam area of south Kashmir's Pulwama district.

Indian security forces have led a massive war against terrorism and terrorists in the inner parts of Jammu-Kashmir and forward areas. Anti-Terrorism operation is continued with such a speed that more than 206 terrorists were eliminated by Indian troops last year.