Army Chief General Bipin Rawat assured on Wednesday, 20 June, that the imposition of Governor’s rule in Jammu and Kashmir after collapsing of the coalition government of the Bharatiya Janata Party and the People’s Democratic Party will not affect the security operations in any way.
“We don’t think there will be any impact. We don’t have any kind of political interference in our operations,” Rawat told reporters on the sidelines of an event in New Delhi. “There has never been any kind of restriction on the force on how it should conduct its work.”
On Ramzan ceasefire, Rawat said terrorists had continued with their activities during the holy month, necessitating suspension of the ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir by the Centre.
Operations were being carried out earlier as well. Then we saw a phase of suspension of operations because we wanted people to get a chance to offer their prayers during Ramzan without any kind of problem. Despite that, terrorists continued with their activity, which is why the suspension of operations was cancelled.
The action that was being taken earlier would continue, Rawat asserted.
The ceasefire announced by the Centre for the month of Ramzan was revoked on Sunday. Aurangzeb, an Army jawan, was killed by terrorists and journalist Shujaat Bukhari has shot dead two days ahead of Eid.
On Wednesday, Jammu and Kashmir were placed under Governor’s rule for the fourth time in the last one decade after the BJP withdrew support to its alliance partner, prompting Mehbooba Mufti to resign as the chief minister.