Sajid Raina
Srinagar, May 12: As the ceasefire pact brought a peaceful environment along the Line of Control (LoC), the border dwellers, who had left their residence due to the fear of shelling by Pakistan, have returned to their homes once again.
The ceasefire announcement days ago has provided a window of calm, allowing both the security forces and the district administrations to assess and secure the affected areas. The shelling had caused not only the loss of human lives but also widespread damage to homes, livestock and infrastructure, forcing hundreds to seek shelter in safer locations.
“We are happy as we are returning home. It is good that both the countries have agreed to the ceasefire — hopefully it holds permanently,” residents while boarding government-accommodated transport at Baramulla said.
“We are thankful to the administration for providing us immediate assistance. It feels good to be going back home, but our houses are damaged. Uri got destroyed; we want peace now. Let peace prevail,” said, a resident, who had recently recovered from injuries sustained during the shelling.
Residents living along the Line of Control, including those in the Gurez Valley, have collectively welcomed the ceasefire, describing it as a relief from fear and displacement. The sense of unity in their voices reflects the deep exhaustion from years of uncertainty and violence.
“We all want this ceasefire to last. We are tired of running, of hiding, of burying our loved ones. Let this be the beginning of real peace. Our children deserve normalcy, not the sound of shelling,” border residents said.
In Gurez and elsewhere, the sentiment is the same. People are clinging to the hope that diplomacy will prevail over destruction, and that their border villages will no longer be on the frontlines of suffering.
While evacuees from certain cleared villages have been permitted to return, authorities stressed that the situation remains delicate. One of the biggest challenges facing the administration is the presence of unexploded ordnances (UXOs) — live explosives scattered across fields and near residential areas due to intense shelling.
According to officials, 20 UXOs were reported across 17 villages in Baramulla district, of which only 7 have been safely disposed of so far. Specialized bomb disposal squads are actively engaged in neutralizing the remaining threats.
A public safety advisory issued by Baramulla Police urges residents not to approach or touch any suspicious items resembling shells or devices. The advisory highlights that UXOs are extremely unstable and pose a fatal risk if disturbed. Baramulla Police Emergency Contacts: 9696767768, 9596767717, 01952-234410.
In Kupwara’s LoC belt, however, clearance operations are still underway, and residents have been advised not to return to their homes just yet. The district police and administration have emphasized that the threat from unexploded shells in the region remains high, and it may take a few more days before safety is fully restored.
“People must remain at the government-designated shelters. We understand their eagerness to return, but their safety is our priority,” says Kupwara Police. They added that multiple teams, including the Army and bomb disposal experts, are working around the clock to sanitize affected areas.
Authorities said the pace of operations depends on terrain, visibility, and the possibility of hidden or buried explosives in agricultural fields and rubble.
Similarly, in Poonch and Rajouri districts, clearance operations are currently underway to safely dispose of unexploded shells left behind after intense cross-border shelling. Poonch, in particular, was among the worst-hit areas during the recent escalation, witnessing several civilian casualties and significant damage to structures.
Earlier, the Army confirmed that no cross-border shelling or drone activity was reported during the night. “The night remained largely peaceful in Jammu and Kashmir and other areas along the international border. No incidents have been reported, marking the first calm night in recent days,” an Army spokesperson said.
Meanwhile, the return of residents — even in phased batches — marks a step toward normalcy for border communities that have long borne the brunt of hostilities. Officials continue to urge residents to remain cautious, follow advisories, and report anything suspicious.
