The government on Wednesday said it would not unilaterally put in place a ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir during the holy month of Ramzan unless there was an offer for a ceasefire from terrorist groups.
"We cannot decide unilaterally. It depends on them (militant groups) as well," Defence Minister A K Antony told reporters on the sidelines of a Coast Guard commanders' conference in New Delhi.
He was replying to a question on whether the government planned to put in place a truce with terrorist groups in the militancy-ravaged state during the ongoing month of Ramzan.
Certain political parties in the state requested the Centre to announce a ceasefire during the month, a move that was opposed by security agencies who reasoned that truces during this period in the past were used by terrorists to re-group, official sources said.
They said the militants were currently facing the heat from the security forces and the offensive should continue.
"As far as the ceasefire with Pakistani forces along the frontiers in Jammu and Kashmir is concerned, it is between the two countries and has been by and large holding good for the last three years," Antony said.
