Srinagar, May 22 (IANS): Jammu and Kashmir Police Chief S.P. Vaid on Tuesday said the ceasefire announced during the holy month of Ramzan has been successful and has helped improve the overall law and order situation in the state.

Vaid tweeted: "The Ramzan ceasefire has been successful thus far. The initiative of Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) has helped in general improvement in law and order.

"The situation especially in south Kashmir has eased and is serving as confidence building measure for families who want their boys to return back home."

The statement comes at a time when some voices in the state and outside are saying the Ramzan ceasefire would help militants re-group and reframe their strategies.

Besides, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said the security forces have a free hand to respond as they deem fit if the neighbouring country continued an offensive after the Pakistani Rangers continued shelling on the international border (IB) in Jammu and Kashmir in Jammu and Samba district targeting 30 BSF outposts and some two dozen villages in the area since Monday.