Sajid Raina
Baramulla, Oct 1: Life is fast returning to normal in villages along the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border months after suffering heavy damage in Pakistan shelling following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which left 26 civilians, mostly tourists dead.
Pertinently, after Indian armed forces destroyed nine terrorist camps deep inside Pakistan and PoK, the neighbouring country resorted to heavy shelling on the civilians in frontier areas leading to loss of lives and widespread damage to property. After 4 days of skirmishes, Pakistan Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) reached out to his counterpart in India and requested for the cessation of hostilities, which led to the truce between the two nations.
Since then, residents said that life is gradually returning to normal as guns have fallen silent and people are rebuilding their lives and damaged settlements.
Residents of border villages earnestly pray for lasting peace so their communities can grow, prosper, and live without fear after years of conflict and hardship.
Villages including Keran, Machil, Bangus, Tangdhar, Gurez, and Uri in north Kashmir are once again witnessing marriage ceremonies being held in local homes rather than being shifted to safer places, as was the case in previous years.
Farming, schooling, marriages, and sports activities are being carried out normally and without fear.
Razia Begum, a resident of Gurez who recently got married, said families are now able to organise weddings in their native villages. “There was a time when we would stay indoors for days due to firing across the border. Now, people attend weddings in large numbers,” she said.
Farah Jan from Uri, who also recently got married, said that earlier the frequent ceasefire violations made border life uncertain. “People had stopped organising large gatherings, but over the past two years, things have changed,” she said.
In Karnah, Shahbaz Ahmad noted that several weddings have been organised recently with full community participation. “We remember those who lost their lives in the past, but now the atmosphere has changed. People are coming together once again,” he said.
Mehreen Akhtar from Machil recalled how some weddings in the past were disrupted or turned into mourning due to shelling. “We are now seeing weddings with proper arrangements in the villages. Guests are attending without hesitation,” she said.
In Gurez, Junaid Lone said that social gatherings such as marriages, engagements, and other community functions have resumed after a long gap. “The normal routine has returned. People are living without the constant fear that used to dominate our lives,” he said.
Sajad Mir, a farmer from Tangdhar, said farming activities are going on without any disruption. “We are working in our fields as usual, and this season has been smooth for cultivation,” he said.
In Gurez, 17-year-old Adil Lone, who plays cricket with local youth, said sports activities have become a regular part of their routine. “We’re holding local matches and tournaments again. Everyone is taking part actively, and it’s good to see the energy back,” he said
Recently, the government announced a major relief initiative to provide 1,500 free smart homes to families whose houses were damaged in Pakistan shelling earlier this year.
Locals in Poonch said that this initiative will greatly benefit the families most severely affected by the Pak shelling. “We hope the construction process begins at the earliest so that the affected households can receive timely relief and regain a sense of stability in their lives,” Abdul Rashid Khan, a resident said. (KNO)
