While the security forces are going to show restraint but they will reserve the right to retaliate if attacked.

CM requests for the ceasefire

Earlier in the month, CM Mehbooba Mufti had recommended to the Centre to consider initiating the ceasefire. Mufti's party the PDP is in alliance with the BJP that forms the government in the centre. Though there are many differences in approach between the BJP and PDP, the centre agreed to go with her recommendation. The ceasefire if peace persists will start in the month of Ramadan and will go until the end of August till the end of the Amarnath Yatra.

The former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, who also is the grandson of Sheikh Abdullah the man who was the signatory of the treaty of accession of Kashmir to India said that this ceasefire would be a test to see if the terrorists are pro-people or will stand exposed as the "enemies of the people".

Army not too happy

Many in the military barracks are not too happy with the declaration of the ceasefire, they say that the militants will re-group and hit them with more vengeance.

The approach of a ceasefire was used by Atal Behari Vajpayee with success and that is why this approach is being tried one more time.

Will the ceasefire survive?

But for a ceasefire to survive and peace to return to Kashmir, it will take more than a unilateral ceasefire. The separatist political leadership must put their weight behind the idea of peace for Jammu and Kashmir.

The voice of the people of Jammu and Kashmir must also be clear whether they prefer continue living with the violence or they want peace.

At the end of the day, the decision is going to lie with the people of Kashmir.