SRINAGAR: A pause in military action between India and Pakistan took hold Saturday evening along LoC in Kashmir’s Uri sub-division, following days of heavy Pakistani shelling, drone attacks, and cross-border firing. However, hundreds displaced from border villages remained in shelters as security forces cleared unexploded ordnance Sunday.
J&K police urged evacuees not to return home, citing ongoing bomb disposal operations. Specialised teams are sweeping villages for unexploded shells, warning that remnants from attacks pose a serious threat.
“These dangerous devices can remain active for extended periods and may detonate with minimal disturbance, posing extreme danger to untrained people,” police said in a public safety notice. “All citizens evacuated from frontline villages are advised to refrain from returning until official clearance is provided.”
Operations are expected to take several days depending on weather and contamination levels. “Your safety remains our highest priority,” police added, stressing that unauthorised returns to restricted areas could lead to legal consequences.
District authorities have set up temporary shelters with food, medical supplies, and essential aid. Around 15,000 people fled villages such as Salamabad, Razarwani, Gingal, Lagama, and Banday in Uri sub-division in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district. According to 2011 census, Uri’s population stands at 74,867.
In Uri town, life began to stir Sunday morning. A few shops reopened and residents returned. By afternoon, authorities again instructed people to vacate. “I came early morning from Baramulla. I opened my restaurant and hoped the situation would stabilise. But in the afternoon, we were told to return,” said Abdul Rashid, a restaurant owner who spent the night back in Baramulla.
Residents expressed cautious hope. “We are happy there is an agreement. We are hopeful we will return home soon,” said a Uri resident at a relief centre in Baramulla.
Former CM and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti visited shelter homes Sunday, meeting displaced residents. “We don’t know how our family was saved,” said a woman from Salamabad. “We didn’t sleep a minute Thursday night and moved to Baramulla after shells landed in our village.”
Mehbooba assured families she would urge govt to provide alternative housing and compensation. “War, bullets, and shelling have stolen homes and shattered childhoods,” she said. “In tin-roofed shelters, Kashmir’s children wait — not for revenge, but for peace.”
J&K police urged evacuees not to return home, citing ongoing bomb disposal operations. Specialised teams are sweeping villages for unexploded shells, warning that remnants from attacks pose a serious threat.
“These dangerous devices can remain active for extended periods and may detonate with minimal disturbance, posing extreme danger to untrained people,” police said in a public safety notice. “All citizens evacuated from frontline villages are advised to refrain from returning until official clearance is provided.”
Operations are expected to take several days depending on weather and contamination levels. “Your safety remains our highest priority,” police added, stressing that unauthorised returns to restricted areas could lead to legal consequences.
District authorities have set up temporary shelters with food, medical supplies, and essential aid. Around 15,000 people fled villages such as Salamabad, Razarwani, Gingal, Lagama, and Banday in Uri sub-division in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district. According to 2011 census, Uri’s population stands at 74,867.
In Uri town, life began to stir Sunday morning. A few shops reopened and residents returned. By afternoon, authorities again instructed people to vacate. “I came early morning from Baramulla. I opened my restaurant and hoped the situation would stabilise. But in the afternoon, we were told to return,” said Abdul Rashid, a restaurant owner who spent the night back in Baramulla.
Residents expressed cautious hope. “We are happy there is an agreement. We are hopeful we will return home soon,” said a Uri resident at a relief centre in Baramulla.
Former CM and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti visited shelter homes Sunday, meeting displaced residents. “We don’t know how our family was saved,” said a woman from Salamabad. “We didn’t sleep a minute Thursday night and moved to Baramulla after shells landed in our village.”
Mehbooba assured families she would urge govt to provide alternative housing and compensation. “War, bullets, and shelling have stolen homes and shattered childhoods,” she said. “In tin-roofed shelters, Kashmir’s children wait — not for revenge, but for peace.”
You may also like
Sheffield industrial fire: Residents warned to keep windows and doors shut as crews battle huge fire
Hamas to free Israeli-American hostage in bid to secure ceasefire
Government must clarify if it has accepted 3rd party mediation: Congress on 'pause'
BSF Constable succumbs to injuries during cross-border firing in Jammu
Iran says nuclear talks 'more serious,' rejects US call to dismantle facilities
