Home Minister Rajnath Singh has said that the decision whether the unilateral ceasefire in place in Kashmir since the beginning of the month of Ramzan should be extended or otherwise, will be taken on June 17, after Eid.


The Ramzan ceasefire has been in place for over a month. Incidents of stone pelting have reduced during this period, but according to reports  recruitment of local youths by terrorist groups and incidents of grenade lobbying have risen alarmingly.


According to the latest data compiled by the Centre, as many as 23 youths have been recruited by terror groups during the first 19 days of the ceasefire.


Data accessed by The New Indian Express in a report, shows that of the total number of grenade lobbying incidents reported in the month of May, more than 80 percent took place during the ceasefire period alone.


Defence experts have also questioned the need for having a unilateral ceasefire in the Kashmir Valley during the Muslim fasting month of Ramzan, maintaining that this had been fully exploited by terrorists. 


Image: Friends and relatives carry the body of Rising Kashmir editor-in-chief Shujaat Bukhari who was killed by three bike-born terrorists last evening. Reports say Bukhari was shot 15 times.