Govt will be constrained to revoke Ramzan ceasefire if Pak continues cross-border firing: Hansraj Ahir

Union Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir has said the government will be constrained to revoke the Ramzan ceasefire it had announced last month if Pakistan continued to indulge in cross-border firing and terrorism. 

Talking to media in Yavatmal district of Maharashtra, the minister said the provisions of the truce allow India to retaliate if Pakistan initiates unprovoked firing. 

Mr Ahir said, India continues to believe in the "no-first-strike" policy. He said India had decided to suspend



operations in view of Ramzan however, there is no respite in cross-border terrorism and ceasefire violations on the part of Pakistan. 

The minister said the security forces, however, reserve the right to retaliate if attacked or if essential to protect the lives of innocent people. 

The government had on 16th May directed security forces in Jammu and Kashmir to follow what it called " non-initiation of combat operations" during the holy month of Ramzan.