Imposition of Governor’s Rule in J&K Will Not Affect Our Operations, Says Army Chief Bipin Singh Rawat

Earlier today, Governor's rule was imposed in the state after President Ram Nath Kovind's approval.

Srinagar, Jun 20: Army Chief General Bipin Singh Rawat on Wednesday said that the imposition of Governor’s rule in Jammu and Kashmir will not affect their operations. He also asserted that the Army does not face any political interference. His statement comes a few hours after President Ram Nath Kovind approved the imposition of Governor’s rule in the state.

“We only stopped our operations during Ramzan. But, we saw what happened. The imposing of Governor’s rule will not affect our operations. Our operations will go on like they used to. We don’t face any political interference,” he was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

We only stopped our operations during Ramzan. But, we saw what happened. The imposing of Governor's rule will not affect our operations. Our operations will go on like they used to. We don't face any political interference: General Bipin Rawat, Army chief pic.twitter.com/aOv0saHNE4

— ANI (@ANI) June 20, 2018

The central government had on May 17 decided that security forces will not conduct offensive operations in J-K during Ramzan. While the security forces displayed exemplary restraint during this period, the terrorists continued with their attacks, on civilians and security forces, resulting in deaths and injuries. As a result, the Centre on June 17 announced the conclusion of Ramzan ceasefire. The announcement came a few days after senior journalist and Rising Kashmir editor Shujaat Bukhari was shot dead outside his office. In another incident, an Army officer Aurangzeb was abducted and killed by terrorists in Pulwama.

Earlier today, Governor’s rule was imposed in the state after President Ram Nath Kovind’s approval. The decision came a day after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had announced its decision to pull out of the alliance with Mehbooba Mufti’s People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the state citing growing terror activities and radicalisation in the valley making its continuance “untenable”.

Meanwhile, Governor NN Vohra is scheduled to address the security forces and senior administrative officers in the state. During the interaction, major announcement is likely.