The Centre asks Security Forces not to launch operations in Jammu & Kashmir during the holy month of Ramzan. Decisi… https://t.co/xqpP11hq6a — HMO India (@HMOIndia) 1526466899000

I wholeheartedly welcome the Ramadan ceasefire & would like to thank @narendramodi ji & @rajnathsingh ji for their… https://t.co/GyDvZOrG09 — Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) 1526468799000

Centre will call this a NICO - Non-initiation of combat operations. It’s what they called it during the Vajpayee-Ad… https://t.co/b2rlcKuNJ7 — Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) 1526469502000

NEW DELHI: The Union government today declared a conditional ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir during the holy month of Ramzan.It is important to isolate the forces that bring a bad name to Islam by resorting to mindless violence and terror, says Centre in a statementGovernment expects everyone to cooperate in this initiative and help the Muslim brothers and sisters to observe Ramzan peacefully and without any difficulties, the statement added.The Centre has asked the security forces to not launch operations in the region during the next thirty days.However, security forces reserve right to retaliate if attacked or if essential to protect the lives of innocent people, the statement said.Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti has been informed about the decision, the ministry of home affairs said.Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti welcomed the Centre's decision and said that the decision will help in "creating a peaceful and amicable environment for a sustainable dialogue"."I wholeheartedly welcome the Ramadan ceasefire and would like to thank Narendra Modi ji and Rajnath Singh ji for their personal intervention. My gratitude also to the leaders and parties who participated in the All Party Meeting and helped build consensus towards this announcement," the CM said in a tweet.Former chief minister of the state Omar Abdullah said that if terrorists fail to respond to the ceasefire offer they will stand exposed as the "enemies of the people"."On the demand of all political parties (except the BJP, which had opposed it) the Centre has announced a unilateral ceasefire. Now if the militants don’t respond in kind they will stand exposed as the true enemies of the people," Abdullah said following the report of ceasefire.National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah congratulated home minister Rajnath Singh for the decision."It is a great step forward, I would like to congratulate Home Minister Rajnath Singh and PM Modi. This reminds me of Atal ji's era when he announced unilateral ceasefire. I welcome this," Farooq Abdullah said.Earlier this month, CM Mufti had urged the Centre to consider a unilateral ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir starting from Ramzan in mid May till the completion of the Amarnath yatra in August."Everyone (all parties) agreed that we should appeal to the Centre to consider a ceasefire like the unilateral ceasefire in (former PM Atal Bihari) Vajpayee's time in Ramzan (later this month) till Amarnath yatra and Eid," she had said.The holy moth of Ramzan is likely to start tomorrow or Friday depending on the sighting of moon.