Even as the Home Ministry announced a ceasefire in Kashmir following an appeal by Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Chief Minister (CM) Mehbooba Mufti, an army patrol was today (16 May) attacked by terrorists in Southern Kashmir’s Pulwama district.

The Home Ministry had earlier today (16 May) heeded to CM Mufti’s appeal and directed the security forces to not launch counter-terrorism operations in the state during the month of Ramzam, as reported by Times of India.

The CM had welcomed the Centre’s decision thanking Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi and Home Minister Rajnath Singh for their personal intervention in the matter.

However, even as the Centre announced the ceasefire, terrorists in Tral area of Pulwama district fired upon an army patrol in the Shikargarh forest area. The terrorists escaped even as the area was cordoned off and search operations were launched.

The patrol party consisted of jawans from 42-Rastriya Rifles battalion of the Indian Army. Earlier yesterday (15 May), a policeman was killed by the terrorists who attacked the Bijbehara town in neighbouring Anantnag district, Deccan Herald has reported.

In its statement on the ceasefire, the Home Ministry said that "It is important to isolate the forces that bring a bad name to Islam by resorting to mindless violence and terror."

However, the forces reserve the right to retaliate if they’re attacked and will launch an operation if there’s confirmed intelligence about a significant, Pakistan-trained terrorist in the valley.