PM has assured J&K CM Farooq Abdullah that he will review the situation in Kashmir before taking any decision. Defence Minister George Fernandes has also given an assurance that a decision on the issue of extension of ceasefire would be taken before January 26. “The killing of innocent people has not stopped and infiltration has also been reported during the ceasefire period,” Abdullah told reporters after a half-an-hour meeting with Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

The suspension of combat operations against the militants began on November 27 and was extended till January 26. Asked whether his government had insisted on extending the ceasefire, Abdullah said, “I have put forth my views to the Prime Minister and it is for him to decide.”
However, he said that ceasefire did not only mean that borders should be silent but there should be an overall improvement in situation and violence should reduce. “But what is happening here is that violence is increasing in the state and series of suicide attacks are carried out by militants,” Abdullah said.

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He said that it was high time for the Centre to tell the world that though we have been sincere in our efforts, it was lacking from the Pakistani side.

Abdullah said that if Pakistan can reduce tension along the border then it can very well rein in the militant groups which created by them. Bureau Report