J&K truce takes effect

JAMMU, NOV. 27. Security forces today suspended all combat operations in Jammu and Kashmir in line with the Ramzan ceasefire, hours ahead of commencement of the holy month, but were on a high alert to thwart any attempt by militant groups to carry out violent activities in the State which remained peaceful, official sources in New Delhi said.

Defence sources said cordon and search operations against militants had been stopped and raids would remain suspended during the holy month. During the unilateral ceasefire, the security forces have been directed to stop offensives against militants and exercise restraint in case of any provocative actions by them.

In Jammu, the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Dr. Farooq Abdullah asked militant groups to shun violence and help restore peace in the State. Conveying his good wishes to the people on the eve of the month, Dr. Abdullah urged them to pray for success of the Prime Minister's initiative for peace.

The ceasefire will create an atmosphere conducive to bringing India and Pakistan closer and end violence in the State, Dr. Abdullah said. ``Drop the gun and look toward peace,'' he appealed to militants. He said the ceasefire could be extended beyond the holy month.

Lt. Gen. H.M. Khanna, General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Northern Command, had on Saturday announced that instructions had been issued to all field commanders to suspend combat operations during Ramzan against ``all tanzeems (outfits) across the board irrespective of their stance, standing and political leanings.''

Field commanders have been instructed to exhibit restrain and ``retaliation action will only be initiated if all other avenues are closed,'' he said.

- PTI, UNI

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Anxiety in Pak.

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD, NOV. 27. As the Kashmir ceasefire comes into force, there is suspense in the air here as to how the situation would evolve in the next few days. The question uppermost on everyone's mind is, would the latest initiative create a breakthrough to the Kashmir imbroglio or would it meet the same fate as the Hizb-ul- Mujahideen move three months ago.

The contingent of Kashmiri leaders, who are here in connection with the much-publicised Lone wedding, are believed to be involved in hectic parleys with all those who matter in Pakistan vis-a-vis Kashmir to restrain them from any move that could close the door on the opportunity provided by the Indian initiative.

On the other hand, Urdu papers in Pakistan have reported that militant organisations are busy evolving a ``new strategy'' to target Indian military installations and to intensify joint attacks. According to the papers, a decision on the strategy was a joint meeting of activists of Harkat-ul- Mujahideen and Harkat- al-Jehad-e-Islami in Kupwara district.

The Pakistani government on its part is keenly watching the Indian moves and the Chief Executive, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, has let it be known through those who met him in recent days that for Pakistan to respond positively, India would have to ``improve upon the ceasefire announcement''. Pakistan has made it clear that it is a party to Kashmir dispute and there could be no solution without its involvement.

Meanwhile reports from Lahore said that in three separate incidents of bomb blasts in and around Lahore, one child was killed and 22 others injured. Though there is no connection between these blasts and the ceasefire, it could cast a shadow on the initiative. Traditionally, Pakistan has held Indian intelligence responsible for the blasts in different parts of the country.

Tripartite talks: Lone

Senior All-Party Hurriyat Conference (APHC) leader, Mr. Abdul Ghani Lone, has urged the Indian Government to agree for a tripartite dialogue to take forward the ceasefire announcement.

Addressing prominent Kashmiri leaders and writers from both sides of the border in Mirpur, a prominent town in Pakistan- Occupied Kashmir, during a two-day tour on Sunday and today, Mr. Lone has said that if India is sincere in its ceasefire initiative, it should agree for tripartite talks.

While Mirpur, the other theme he chose to focus on was the need (for India and Pakistan) to provide an opportunity to Kashmiris from both sides to get together and discuss measures for early solution of the Kashmir issue. It is not known as to how exactly the theme of a ``united Jammu and Kashmir'' (as it existed prior to August 15, 1947) has gone down with the military establishment in Islamabad.

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