New Delhi: The political change in Jammu and Kashmir will not affect anti-terror operations, which will continue as before the Ramadan ceasefire, Army chief General Bipin Rawat said here on Wednesday.
“We do not think there will be any change. We don’t have any political interference. There has never been a stop on how Army has to carry out its operations. We have very strict rules of engagement and we have been taking actions in accordance with those and will continue to so in the future,” Gen Rawat said.
He was asked if the change in the political situation in the state following imposition of Governor’s rule will impact Army’s operations.
Gen Rawat said operations were being carried out in the past and there was cessation during Ramadan.
“We wanted that during Ramadan, the local residents get a chance to offer their prayers in a proper way [so that] they do not face any difficulty. But the terrorists continued their actions and this led to withdrawal of the move of suspension of operations.
“We will again start the operations. The actions will be carried out as were being done in the past,” he said.
The Centre had earlier this month decided not to extend its unilateral initiative, declared on May 16, to coincide with the holy month of Ramadan as terrorist activities continued in the Kashmir Valley.
Jammu and Kashmir Governor N.N. Vohra on Wednesday placed the state Assembly under suspended animation.
After the imposition of Governor’s rule, Vohra exercised his powers under the Constitution.
Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had demanded the dissolution of the Assembly so that the process of holding early elections in the state could be started.
On Tuesday, the BJP suddenly withdrew its support to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and pulled out of the ruling PDP-BJP coalition, causing the government to collapse.
After all major political parties including the PDP, National Conference and the BJP said they would not explore the possibility of forming an elected government in the state, Abdullah said horse trading could not be ruled out unless the Assembly was dissolved.
