SRINAGAR: Army chief General Bipin Rawat said the non-initiation of combat operations (NICO) being implemented by the government during the ongoing holy month of Ramzan could be prolonged if the situation allows, urging Pakistan to stop training terrorists and take an initiative for peace instead , drawing support from Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti who also called upon Pakistan to respond positively.“Non-initiation of combat operations is a step for people to understand what peaceful environment means. There is peaceful atmosphere right now and people are happy with this. If this environment continues, we can think of continuing NICO,” Rawat told media persons at a function at Army Goodwill School in Pahalgam area of southern Kashmir.“But if terrorists do some action we may have to rethink and take action,” said Rawat, who was in the state on a two-day visit to review the security scenario. “Pakistan should take initiative for peace… It should stop training camps across the border and I can assure you of peace on the border.”The ruling PDP, which is running the government in alliance with the BJP, also pitched for continuation of NICO. “The leadership of Pakistan should respect the sentiment of Ramzan and respond positively to the Ramzan ceasefire announced by the Centre recently,” said chief minister Mehbooba Mufti, who visited the affected border areas in Jammu.The exchange of fire along the border in Jammu continued for the past two weeks and claimed lives of nine civilians and two Border Security Force personnel while many civilians were injured.

Source: Economic Times May 26, 2018 01:07 UTC