Guv rule not to affect anti-militancy ops: Army chief

New Delhi :The imposition of governor’s rule in Jammu and Kashmir will not affect anti-militancy operations, Army chief General Bipin Rawat said on Wednesday and noted that there was no political interference.
“We only stopped our operations during Ramadhan. But we saw what happened. The militants continued with their actions,” General Rawat said on the sidelines of an event here.
“The imposition of Governor’s rule will not affect our operations. Our operations will go on like they used to. We don’t face any political interference,” he said.
Security forces have never faced any restrictions on their work. “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,” he said.
Security forces have strict rules of engagement and “take action” in accordance with them, Rawat said. The ceasefire announced by the Centre for the month of Ramzan was revoked on Sunday. Aurangzeb, an Indian Army soldier, was killed by terrorists and journalist Shujaat Bukhari was shot dead two days ahead of Eid.
Governor’s rule has been imposed in Jammu and Kashmir after the BJP pulled out of the alliance government in the state with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The Centre had earlier this month decided not to extend its unilateral initiative, declared on May 16, to coincide with the holy month as militant activities continued in the Kashmir Valley.
BJP’s withdrawal from the alliance came two days after the government decided against extending the ceasefire.
The party had cited citing growing militant activities and radicalisation in the Kashmir Valley among reasons for its decision.