In an important development, Kashmir militants on Monday announced a unilateral cease-fire for three days from October 12.

In a statement to some local news agencies, Syed Sallah-u-Din, chairman of Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) based United Jehad Council (UJC), a joint platform of 17 militant groups, said the cease-fire was announced in view of Eid-ul-Fitre, falling either on October 13 or 14. He said the truce was announced to avoid any inconvenience to the people on the festival.

Prez visit
Observers feel that Sallah-u-Din, who is said to be in PoK, made the announcement at a time when Pakistan president General Pervez Musharraf was visiting PoK on the second anniversary of the October 8 earthquake which killed thousands of people and rendered thousands homeless.

According to them General  Musharraf who got unofficially re-elected as the President of Pakistan wants to create an impression that he is for the beginning of a new era of peace in Kashmir. Even the militants want to give the same message.

The ceasefire has been widely welcomed in Kashmir by mainstream and separatist groups. They have urged both the militants and government to make the truce a permanent feature in the valley.

Mehbooba Mufti, PDP president, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, chairman moderate faction of Hurriyat Conference and National Conference spokesman has welcomed the cease-fire. They expressed hope that Centre would respond positively so that peace becomes a reality in Kashmir.