Hope all in Kashmir will reciprocate Centre's peace move: BJP

The BJP today expressed hope that the Centre's decision to stop operations of security forces in Jammu and Kashmir during Ramzan will be reciprocated by all in the valley.

"We welcome the prudent decision taken by Hon'ble PM and HM with a profound hope that this gesture will be reciprocated by one and all in the valley (and it) will witness peace during d holy month of Ramazan (sic)," BJP's General Secretary Ram Madhav tweeted.

Madhav is the BJP's pointsman for Jammu and Kashmir, where his party is a junior partner to the PDP in the government.

The Home Ministry today announced that the security forces will not launch any operations in Jammu and Kashmir during the holy month of Ramzan, seen as conciliatory move by the Centre as it tries to restore peace in the Valley.

The announcement by the Home Ministry came two days ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday. Earlier, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti had said that the central government should consider a unilateral ceasefire in the state starting from Ramzan till the completion of the Amarnath yatra in August.

The Ministry said the security forces, however, reserve the right to retaliate if attacked or if essential to protect the lives of innocent people.

The fasting month of Ramzan is likely to start tomorrow or Friday depending on sighting of the moon and ends on Eid.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has informed Mufti of the central government's decision.