SRINAGAR, India — India announced Wednesday that its troops will halt counterinsurgency operations in disputed Kashmir during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, its first such declaration in 18 years. The last cease-fire in counterinsurgency operations declared by India for Ramadan was in 2000. India and Pakistan declared a cease-fire between their forces in 2003, but India has continued to battle rebels seeking an end to Indian control. “India should take it further by reaching out to resistance leaders as well as Pakistan for the final settlement of Kashmir,” said Mohammed Akbar, a shopkeeper. Nuclear-armed India and Pakistan each administer part of Kashmir, but both claim it in its entirety.

Source: Washington Post May 16, 2018 12:45 UTC