Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has expressed gratitude towards the Centre and thanked Prime Minister Narendra and Home Minister Rajnath Singh for declaring the ceasefire in the valley considering the holy month of Ramzan. The Centre has asked the military forces in Jammu and Kashmir not to launch any operation in the holy month of Ramzan or Ramadan. This decision comes after the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Mehbooba Mufti, had asked the Narendra Modi led government in Center to stop operations in the valley during the month of Ramzan and declare ceasefire.

She said that 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.

The decision by Centre comes as a surprise considering the aggressive policy adopted by Narendra Modi government to fight and eliminate militants in the valley. Army chief General Bipin Rawat had recently said that the azadi brigade- referring to the militants who claim to fight for the independence of Kashmir, should understand that they can never fight and win against the army. In a tweet, HMO India wrote that "the Centre has asked Security Forces not to launch operations in Jammu & Kashmir during the holy month of Ramzan. Decision taken to help the peace loving Muslims observe Ramzan in a peaceful environment."

Omar Abdullah, former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir and the leader of Jammu & Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) has also tweeted on the issue and has said that it is a test for the militants and that they will "stand exposed" if they do not respond positively to the ceasefire.

However, the government in Centre has extended courtesy to its coalition partner in Jammu and Kashmir by holding up operations for the month of Ramzan. The decision can also prove to be a costly gamble by the BJP government in Centre but it is surely a decision that is bold and can have implications beyond politics.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 16, 2018 07:54 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).