SRINAGAR: As the ceasefire pact brings calm along the Line of Control (LoC), border residents who had fled their homes due to intense shelling by Pakistan have begun returning.
The announcement of the ceasefire a few days ago has created a window of peace, enabling security forces and district administrations to assess damage and secure affected areas. The shelling had caused loss of life, damage to homes, livestock, and infrastructure, forcing many to seek shelter elsewhere.
“We are happy to return home. It is good that both countries have agreed to a ceasefire — we hope it holds,” said residents boarding government-arranged transport in Baramulla.
“We thank the administration for their support. It feels good to go back, but our houses are damaged. Uri was hit hard. We want peace now,” said a resident recently discharged from hospital after being injured in the shelling.
Residents along the LoC, including those in Gurez Valley, welcomed the ceasefire. They described it as a relief after years of fear and displacement.
“We want this ceasefire to last. We are tired of running and hiding. Our children deserve normal life, not the sound of shelling,” border residents said.
In Gurez and other areas, people expressed hope that diplomacy would replace destruction and that their villages would no longer be on the frontlines.
Clearance Operations Underway in Multiple Sectors
Authorities have allowed return to certain cleared villages, but caution that the situation remains sensitive. A major challenge is unexploded ordnance (UXO) — live shells scattered due to recent shelling.
Officials said 20 UXOs were reported across 17 villages in Baramulla district. So far, only 7 have been safely disposed of. Bomb disposal squads are working to neutralise the rest.
Baramulla Police issued a safety advisory asking residents to avoid any suspicious items resembling shells or devices. The advisory warned that UXOs are unstable and can be fatal if touched.
Baramulla Police Emergency Contacts:
9696767768 | 9596767717 | 01952-234410
In Kupwara’s LoC belt, clearance work is ongoing. Residents have been told not to return until the area is declared safe. District police and officials stressed that the risk from unexploded shells remains high and clearance may take a few more days.
“People must stay at government-designated shelters. We know they want to return, but safety is the priority,” said Kupwara Police. They added that the Army and bomb disposal teams are working continuously to clear the areas.
Authorities said operations are affected by terrain, visibility, and the possibility of explosives buried in fields and rubble.
Clearance is also underway in Poonch and Rajouri districts, where unexploded shells remain after heavy shelling. Poonch was among the worst-hit, with civilian casualties and significant damage reported.
Earlier, the Army confirmed that no cross-border shelling or drone activity was reported overnight. “The night remained peaceful in Jammu and Kashmir and other areas along the international border. No incidents have been reported,” said an Army spokesperson.
The return of residents , even in batches, marks a step towards normalcy for communities along the LoC. Authorities have urged all residents to stay alert, follow advisories, and report anything suspicious. (KNO)
