New Delhi: As the central government announced a ceasefire in Jammu and Kahsmir, a move which was lauded by Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, DGP SP Vaid said that if the state saw a terror attack during the ceasefire, it will show the people of the state which side wants peace.
“An attack now will only prove to the people who is on their side,” he told News18, adding that a retaliation was inevitable if the forces were attacked. The ceasefire, he added, was in the best interests of the residents.
“It’s the time of Ramzan and they should not be bothered about forces. We have stopped CASO to help the people,” Vaid said.
Announcing the ceasefire, Union Home Ministry said, “It is important to isolate the forces that bring a bad name to Islam by resorting to mindless violence.”
According to data available with South Asia Terrorism Portal, around 760 people have died in J&K since 2016 — the year Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani was killed in an encounter.
Though some of these fatalities have occurred in border areas and some have been reported from Jammu, but most of these deaths have happened in encounters in Kashmir. The recruitment of local boys among the terror groups has increased. One person is picking up gun every third day suggesting that only military engagement may not work in Kashmir.
There have been several instances of Ramzan being used as a ‘period of martyrdom’ by militants, a phenomenon that Vaid said he’s fully aware of. This interpretation of Ramzan could possibly mean an increase in terrorist activities.
“Yes we know that the idea of a sacrifice is manifold during such times. But we are hoping that better sense prevails in the militants,” he said.
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