The Centre has firmly rejected Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti’s call for a ceasefire in the State during the period of Ramzan and the Amarnath Yatra.

“Indian Army has to firmly handle any terrorism which threatens the peace and harmony of Jammu & Kashmir. The Army’s position is that it has to be firm on terrorism,” Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman told the media.

“Jammu & Kashmir is an integral part of India. Terrorism has to be eliminated by the Indian Army for which firm action is required. There will be no let-up on terror. We will take action every minute,” Sitharaman said.

The Defence Minister’s rejection of the ceasefire “call” is in line with the thinking with the Indian Army and security experts, who feel that terrorists would utilise the let-up in anti-terror operation to reorganise themselves.

The demand for ceasefire has surfaced in an all-party meeting convened on May 9 to discuss the fast deteriorating security situation in the State and increasing number of clashes between civilians and security forces..

Sitharaman’s statement comes days after Mehbooba Mufti claimed the all-party meeting had agreed to appeal to the Centre to announce a ceasefire within the state from the fasting month of Ramzan, starting later this week, to the end of the Amarnath Yatra to ease tension during these periods significant for devotees.

“Everyone agreed that we should appeal to the Government of India to consider a ceasefire like the unilateral ceasefire in (former Prime Minister Atal Bihari) Vajpayee’s time,” Mehbooba had told reporters after the four-hour meeting. The BJP had later said it was not on the same page with Mehbooba on the ceasefire call. The Army was also reportedly opposed to any unilateral ceasefire move, fearing it could give opportunity to terrorists to reorganise themselves.

The Defence Minister also dubbed as a “serious disclosure” Pakistan’s ousted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif publicly acknowledging that terrorist organisations were active in his country and said it proved India’s position that the handlers of 26/11 Mumbai terror attack were in Pakistan.

For the first time, Sharif also questioned Pakistan’s policy to allow the “non-state actors” to cross the border and “kill” people in Mumbai, according to a media report.

“Well, it is very serious disclosure. India’s position has been that the mastermind of the Mumbai terror attack operated from Pakistan. We strongly believe that the handlers of the attack were in Pakistan,” Sitharaman said.

“It (Sharif’s remarks) only proves that India’s stand has been right all the way,” she said.

Sharif, who has been disqualified to hold public office for life by his country’s Supreme Court in the Panama Papers case, said Pakistan has isolated itself.

“We have isolated ourselves. Despite giving sacrifices, our narrative is not being accepted. Afghanistan’s narrative is being accepted, but ours is not. We must look into it,” Sharif had told Dawn.

Courtesy: The Pioneer, Monday, 14 May 2018 | PNS | New Delhi