Diplomat Correspondent
Baramulla/Kupwara,(DD): After days of displacement due to the recent escalation along the Line of Control (LoC), residents of several villages in Baramulla and Kupwara districts are finally being allowed to return to their homes. This comes after a ceasefire between India and Pakistan brought much-needed relief to the affected regions.
Villages in Uri, Gingil, Salamabad, Garkote in Baramulla, and Keran, Tangdhar, and Karnah in Kupwara are witnessing the return of evacuees, many of whom had been forced to leave their homes due to intense shelling.
“There’s no feeling like coming home after the storm,” said Bashir Ahmad, a resident of Garkote. “We fled in fear, but now, coming back to our village feels like a breath of fresh air. Still, the memory of the shelling is fresh in our minds.”
Shakeela Bano from Tangdhar, who returned to her home after several days of displacement, remarked, “The sound of shelling was terrifying. Our children were terrified and couldn’t sleep for days. Now, seeing our home again, we feel safer but can’t help but feel nervous.”
Abdul Latif from Keran shared similar sentiments: “We left with only the clothes on our backs. Now, returning feels like a small victory. However, the fear of unexploded ordnances (UXOs) is still there. We hope the administration takes all precautions.”
The ceasefire agreement between the two countries has brought much-needed respite, though authorities continue to exercise caution as UXOs remain a concern in several areas.
“We’re grateful for the ceasefire, but we remain cautious. It’s not easy to forget the terror we experienced,” said Shabir Ahmed from Uri. “It’s good to be back, but the fear of what may still lie out there in our fields and homes remains.”
Despite the relief of returning to their homes, many residents are calling for increased safety measures, including thorough UXO clearance, before they can fully relax. Local authorities have been advising the public to report any suspicious objects to security personnel(DD)