The suspension of operations during the holy month of Ramzan helped ease the tension in Kashmir, and there's visible positive change on the ground, Director General of Police S.P. Vaid said while talking to THE WEEK.
''Shops are open, traffic is plying unhindered and people are breathing easy,'' Vaid said.
On his appeal to parents of the militants to use the suspension of operations to get their children back, the state police chief said there is some movement on that front as well. ''Something is coming,'' he said.
When asked if foreign militants have halted attacks on security forces, Vaid said, so far, they too have not done anything. '' But you cannot trust them,'' he said, adding, “They are controlled by someone else.''
Vaid said the situation in the valley was more important to them. ''What is happening at the line of control and the International Border is being handled by other security agencies.”
''On the International Border, it's between the BSF and Pakistan Rangers. We are more concerned about Kashmir valley,'' he said.
Since the suspension of operations was announced by the Centre, there have been no encounters in Kashmir. ''It's correct that no political activist has been attacked in south Kashmir also,'' he said.
About the incident in Shopian on Monday in which four girls were injured in Army firing after locals at Dreed, Kalipora, refused to accept the Army's Iftaar offerings, he said it could have been planned in a better way. ''The police were not informed by the Army that they were planning to serve Iftaar to people,'' he said.
Vaid said after the suspension of operations, families of militants and stone pelters have also heaved a sigh of relief.
''This is good, why should I not talk about it,'' Vaid said.