Cabinet committee to review renewal of ceasefire -- PM

Cabinet committee to review renewal of ceasefire -- PM
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE

NEW DELHI/ SRINAGAR, JANUARY 14: The Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee today said the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) will soon take a decision on extending the ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir beyond the Republic Day. The CCS is likely to meet sometime this week to discuss the scenario especially in view of today's attempt by militants on the life of Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah in Srinagar.

The Prime Minister who arrived in the Capital today after visiting Vietnam Indonesia, however, expressed concern over the militant activities and told the media at the airport that the peace process could be stalled if militants continued with violence. Asked about Army Chief Gen S Padmanabhan's opinion that the ceasefire should be extended in the Valley, Vajpayee said all issues will be taken into consideration before taking any further step.

Earlier in the day, Farooq survived a bid on his life when militants lobbed grenades at a function in Srinagar where he was speaking. Three grenades fell within 100 metres of where the cheif minister was addressing the gathering. The militants launched grenades from Kani Kadal, a neighbourhood across the Jhelum river. The police and the BSF (72-Battalion) had deployed personnel in good strength in and around the areas falling in the vicinity.

Farooq who was accompanied by top notch civil and security officerscontinued the speach after the incident. The Minister for the Works AliMuhammad Sagar was also present for the ceremony. The ceremony, however, was quickly wound up after the attack.

Union Home Minister L K Advani condemned the attack on Farooq and said the continuing activities of militant groups in Jammu and Kashmir, highlighted the fact that Pakistan was not willing to abandon cross-border terrorism despite Vajpayee's major peace initiative.

He said that after the attack on the army camp in Red Fort and today's Srinagar incident, the entire situation will be reviewed by January 26, the date till when the ceasefire has been extended.