In the aftermath of the killing of a 22-year old Chennai tourist who came under attack from stone-pelters on the outskirts of Srinagar on May 7, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti requested the Centre for a unilateral ceasefire in the Ramzan month that began last week. Mufti's request was approved on May 16, when Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh dialled the chief minister to inform her about the Centre's decision to halt all security operations in the militancy-hit state during the holy month.
Five days after the ceasefire came into effect, the valley has witnessed a series of militant attacks on security forces while cross-border shelling by Pakistan continues risking the lives of security personnel as well as villagers living beside the Pakistan border.
Since Tuesday, two BSF personnel and four civilians have lost their lives in unprovoked mortar shelling and small arms fire by Pakistani Rangers along the international border from Hiranagar to R S Pura sectors. Five people, including a BSF…