India can respond to ceasefire violations: Omar

Against the backdrop of the recent ceasefire violations by Pakistan, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has said India had the right to respond.

"It is our right to respond in case of ceasefire violations," he told reporters at an army function on Monday.

He hoped that Pakistan would keep its promise of holding the truce along the Line of Control, as it has helped people on both sides.

Abdullah said the Army would return to the barracks only when the situation improved in the state.

"The Army's stay depends on the ground situation, and as the situation improves the Army will definitely go back to the barracks in Jammu and Kashmir," he said.

Without pointing at any political party or organisation, he alleged that some vested elements were insisting on creating an atmosphere of mistrust against the Army by advocating the revocation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act and recalling the Army to the barracks.

The opposition Peoples Democratic Party and separatists have been demanding the revocation of the AFSPA and Disturbed Areas Act in Jammu and Kashmir and subsequent troop withdrawal from the state.