J&K Ramzan ceasefire: Terror outfit LeT rejects Centre's call; says Home Ministry's statement 'nothing but drama'

The Lashkar-e-Taiba on Wednesday rejected the Indian government’s call for ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir. LeT rejected the truce call, claiming it would be ‘treachery with the martyrs’ and they shall continue the armed struggle until and unless Jammu & Kashmir gets freedom.

“Ceasefire is not an option. We deem it as sin to the sacrifices rendered in the freedom struggle. We are the heirs of martyrs and opting for such choice is treachery to their blood,” Abdullah Ghazanwi, spokesperson of LeT quoting its Kashmir chief Mahmood Shah, said in a statement to local news agencies.

Calling the statement of Home Ministry “nothing but drama”, he said that the LeT will continue the armed struggle until and unless Jammu and Kashmir wins its freedom

"Ceasefire may be a desire of India and its few sympathisers and nothing else. It has neither happened before nor will it happen now. We were active in the resistance before and so we will be in future,” he said

Shah however said they are in favour of talks but not in presence of the armed forces.  “We are in favor of negotiations. Talks of negotiations in presence of armed forces in the region are nothing but a lie,” he said.

 “We will never betray the people's trust and their immense sacrifices. We will fight to the last drop of our blood in our struggle against illegal occupation. India shall soon witness the wrath of the people”, he said.

The Centre on Wednesday announced a conditional ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir during the holy month of Ramzan and asked the security forces not to launch operation.

Earlier this month, after an all-party meeting, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti had appealed the central government to consider a unilateral ceasefire in the state starting from Ramzan in mid-May till the completion of the Amarnath yatra in August.

She had said that a ceasefire would provide relief to the people and help create a better atmosphere in the state. At that time, the state BJP seemed to be opposing such a decision.

The party's state unit had said militants were demoralised due to Army action and a unilateral ceasefire would ease pressure and allow them to re-energise. 

Mehbooba reached out to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh with appeal to consider ceasefire and after careful consideration government has decided to extend ceasefire. 

Announcing conditional ceasefire, the Ministry of Home Affairs has asked the security forces to reserve the right to retaliate if attacked or if essential to protect the lives of innocent people.

"The decision was taken to help the peace-loving Muslims observe Ramzan in a peaceful environment. The government expects everyone to cooperate in this initiative and help the Muslim brothers and sisters to observe Ramzan peacefully and without any difficulties," said Home Minister Rajnath Singh in series of tweets.

It is important to isolate the forces that bring a bad name to Islam by resorting to mindless violence and terror.

Reacting to government's decision, Mufti said, "I wholeheartedly welcome the Ramadan ceasefire and would like to thank @narendramodi ji & @rajnathsingh ji for their personal intervention."

"My gratitude also to the leaders and parties who participated in the All Party Meeting & helped build consensus towards this announcement. The month of Ramadan is a harbinger of peace & such a decision will go a long way in creating a peaceful & amicable environment for a sustained dialogue," she said in a tweet.