SRINAGAR, Feb 3 (1997): Indian troops offered Moslem separatist militants a week-long truce in the troubled state of Kashmir during the Eid-ul-fitr festival, a top army official said Monday.
“There will be no search operations from Tuesday till February 11,” said General Jasbir Singh Dhillon, Kashmir’s army chief.
“We want all the people in Kashmir, including militants, to celebrate Eid without any fears or apprehensions,” said Dhillon.
India’s Moslems celeberate Eid-ul-fitr, a festival at the end of the month-long Ramadan fast, on February 10.
Around 17,000 people have died since 1989 in the Himalayan state since Moslem militants launched a separatist drive.
Dhillion said: “Our misguided friends of the state can visit their relatives and families on Eid and we will not chase them. You can move wherever you want to during the week but do not carry arms.”
The army chief, however, said the crackdown against foreign militants would continue as “they are not our own men” and “no mercy” would be shown to militants carrying arms.
Moslem separatists have stepped up their campaign since the pro-India National Conference party took office in Kashmir in October last year following the first state elections since 1987.
The militants have rejected Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah’s appeals to give up violence. Since the start of 1997, 14 people have died in four major bomb explosions in Srinagar.
